Clinical and Radiographic Comparison of Conventional and Minimal Invasive Method of Cavity Preparation in Mandibular Molars

The study aimed at clinically evaluating air abrasion as an ultraconservative operative tool in early diagnosis and intervention of site 1, size 1 carious lesions. 50 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria of site 1 size 1 lesion found bilaterally on first/second mandibular molar were included in the study and randomly assigned into 2 groups. Group A-Treatment modality-conventional cavity preparation. Group B-Treatment modality-ultra conservative cavity preparation by air abrasion. Restoration was done with posterior composite/flowable composite depending upon depth and extent of cavity. Postoperatively pain perception was noted by visual analogue scoring and preferred treatment modality was scored. Both the groups were evaluated clinically and radiologically at an interval of 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Statistical analysis was done by student’ ‘t’ test to determine statistical difference between expired and survived in the parameters measured, Wilcoxon test for evaluating median survival time and Chi square test of significance for proportion analysis. Group A showed 5 biological failures and 5 mechanical failures which required replacement, whereas there were failures in Group B. Cavities produced were shallower and narrower in air abrasion group as compared to conventional method. Air abrasion offers the advantage of reducing chairside time, less pain, allays fear, reduces vibration. Air abrasion was the preferred treatment modality of the patients.