HISTOPATHOLOGIC EFFECTS OF KINETIC CAVITY PREPARATION FOR THE REMOVALOF ENAMEL AND DENTIN - AN IN-VIVO ANIMAL STUDY

Recent developments in technology, direct placement restorative materi als, and cavity preparation design have renewed interest in kinetic ca vity preparation, a term to describe the use of air-abrasion for remov al of tooth structure. This study compared the pulpal response of 120 teeth in mixed-breed dogs treated with four kinetic cavity preparation combinations of pressure (80 psi and 160 psi) and aluminum oxide part icle sizes (27 mu m and 50 mu m) to those treated with high-speed rota ry burs. Class V buccal preparations were made and restored with an in terim material, Teeth were collected 72 hours after surgery, decalcifi ed, sectioned, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and blindly evaluat ed by two examiners at the minimal dentin thickness. Samples were grad ed for extent of displacement, disruption, inflammation, and necrosis of pulpal structures. Differences between groups were analyzed with th e use of Bonferroni-adjusted multiple Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon tests with p < 0.05 being significant Higher pressures and smaller particles yie lded significantly fewer pulpal effects than the high-speed treated te eth whereas lower pressures and larger particles were not significantl y different for most effects evaluated. No adverse soft tissue effects were noted when kinetic cavity preparation was directed at attached g ingiva.