Objectives: Carisolv is a viscous substance for the chemo-mechanical removal of caries. The aim of this study was to examine the tissue reactions of pulp and dentin tissue to Carisolv in vivo.
Methods: In 48 caries-free molars (24 Wistar rats, age: 3 months) an occlusal cavity was prepared. The roofs of the pulp chambers were perforated with a sharp probe and Carisolv solution was placed onto the exposed pulp of 24 molars for 1, 10 and 20 min. Twenty-four contralateral molars served as controls and were coated with an inert liquid containing isotonic saline solution, carmellose and erythrosin.
Results: After a contact period of 10 and 20 min in the experimental group, pulpal destruction of intercellular substance and cells including odontoblasts was observed up to a depth of 150 microm, in addition to the mechanical damage by perforation (e.g. dentin particles). The pulpal and predentin fibrils as well as the dentin fibrils appeared to be intact and did not differ from the controls. After a contact time of 1 min a weaker damage of pulp cells and odontoblasts, as well as intact fibrils in pulp, predentin and dentin could be observed.
Conclusions: Radicals of Carisolv (OH- and OCI-) cause alkaline hydrolysis of cellular components but do not decompose collagenous tissue components.