An Investigation of the Working and Hardness of the SMARTPREP Instruments and their Endpoint in Caries-Affected Dentin

Abstract

In an effort to only remove the carious dentin, without harming any of the healthy dentin, SS White designed the SMARTPREP instrument. According to SS White, the SMARTPREP instruments should be able to remove infected dentin, with a KHN range from 0-30, but nm healthy dentin (70-90). A KHN value of 50 was c1aimcd as the hardness of the SMARTPREP instrument. Conversely, the decayed dental tissue can be saved and remineralized through a bioactive base, DTX.21 product. Previous studies have shown that the hardness of dentin depends on the state of mineralization of the tissue. In order to test dentin hardness, Knoop hardness is performed by pressing a diamond point into a surface producing an indentation, which results in a corresponding Knoop Hardness Number (KHN). The first aim of this study was to determine the hardness of SMARTPREP polymer instruments (SP1) and the treated carious tooth tissue in order to find out if the instruments provide a consistent endpoint in the caries removal procedure. The second aim was to determine the influence of a bioactive base material (DTX.21, Dentigenix\ [voclar/Vivadent. Schaan, Swiss) on the hardness of the residual dentin after SMARTPREP instrument use.