Influence of Caries Eradication Techniques via Papacarie, and Er: <scp>YAG</scp> Laser With Different Adhesive Types Bonded to Composite Restoration in Primary Dentin. An <scp>SEM</scp>, <scp>μTBS</scp>, and Microleakage Assessment

Influence of different caries removal techniques using Papacarie and Erbium/yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er: YAG) laser to different adhesives etch and rinse (ER) and self-etch (SE) restored via tooth-colored material on micro tensile bond strength (μTBS) and marginal leakage scores. Ninety-six extracted primary molars exhibiting moderate caries were allocated into three groups based on the caries removal technique. Group 1: Conventional bur, Group 2: Papacarie gel, and Group 3: Er: YAG laser. After caries removal, specimens from three groups were further allocated into two subgroups based on the type of adhesive used (n = 16). Two-step ER (A) and Two-step SE (B). Composite restoration was built and thermocycling was performed. Microleakage, μTBS, and failure mode were analyzed using a dye penetration test, a Universal testing machine, and a stereomicroscope respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluation of the composite-CAD interface was performed. One-way ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test were utilized to compare microleakage and μTBS among investigated groups (p < 0.05). The lowest microlekage (13.56 ± 0.02) and highest μTBS (13.26 ± 0.11 MPa) was exhibited by Group 3B (Er: YAG laser-SE). However, the highest microleakage (45.62 ± 0.09) and lowest bond strength (9.34 ± 0.11 MPa) was exhibited by 1A (Conventional bur-ER) treated samples. For caries removal in primary dentition, the Er: YAG laser and Papacarié gel present themselves as appropriate alternatives. These non-invasive methods yield improved mechanical results when utilized with self-etch adhesive system.