Carie-Care

Carie-Care is a chemomechanical caries removal (CMCR) agent used in minimally invasive dentistry to remove dental decay. The primary active ingredient is papain, a proteolytic enzyme derived from the papaya fruit (*Carica papaya*), which selectively dissolves the necrotic, infected dentin by cleaving collagen molecules that have already been partially degraded by the caries process. Because papain lacks the ability to digest healthy, mineralized collagen, the treatment preserves sound tooth structure. The gel also contains clove oil (eugenol), which provides natural analgesic and antimicrobial properties, reducing patient discomfort and bacterial load. This approach minimizes the need for local anesthesia and mechanical drilling, making it particularly suitable for pediatric, geriatric, and phobic patients.

Brand names

Carie-Care

Other names

papain-based chemomechanical caries removal gel