Mechanical removal of carious dentine using hand instruments

Mechanical removal of carious dentine using hand instruments is a minimally invasive dental procedure for treating dental caries, in which decayed (infected) dentin is physically excised using manual tools—most commonly spoon excavators—instead of rotary instruments or chemical agents[1][2][3]. This technique allows tactile control and minimizes the removal of healthy tooth structure compared to conventional drilling, although it can be time-consuming and may cause discomfort if local anesthesia is not provided[1][2][3]. It is often compared with chemo-mechanical methods, such as Carisolv or Papacarie, which use chemical agents to soften carious dentin for easier removal[1][2][3][4][5][6].

Other names

mechanical caries removal with hand instrumentshand excavation of cariesspoon excavator technique

Physical removal of demineralized, infected dentin using specifically designed hand instruments, most commonly spoon excavators[1][2].