Histological Evaluation of Chemo Mechanical Caries Removal with a Babaco-Based Formulation Gel

The study investigated the effectiveness of a babaco-based gel derived from an endemic Ecuadorian fruit for chemomechanical caries removal compared to the conventional non-rotary mechanical method. Babaco contains proteolytic enzymes that soften decayed dental tissue, making it a potential alternative for caries treatment. An ex vivo experimental study was carried out using sixty extracted human teeth, each divided into two sections: one treated with babaco gel and the other with a spoon excavator. Four extraction methods (maceration, distillation, Soxhlet, and percolation) were used to prepare the gel. After rehydration and submersion in nitric acid, an oral pathologist evaluated the efficacy of caries removal. Results showed a 78% success rate for the babaco-treated sections, significantly higher than the 14% success rate for the conventional method. The distillation-extracted gel subgroup performed best at <i>p</i> < 0.01 Fisher Chi². The study concluded that babaco gel is more effective for caries removal than traditional methods, highlighting its potential as a chemical-mechanical alternative.