In-vitro study to compare the efficacy of N-monochloro-D,L-2-aminobutyrate (NMAB, GK-101E) and water in caries removal.
The present in-vitro study was designed to investigate the chemical efficacy of N-monochloro-D,L,-2-aminobutyrate (NMAB, GK 101E) in removing carious material under clinically relevant conditions, using objective methods of measurement. Assuming that the chemical effectiveness of water in caries removal is minimal, a comparison of the efficacy of GK-101E with that of water was made. The force required to achieve complete caries removal from symmetrically separated carious lesions was determined with the Caridex system, modified by a force gauge. One lesion half was treated with GK-101E, while the corresponding half was treated with water. Thus a difference in the chemical potential of the fluids in softening carious material should lead to a difference in the force required to remove equal quantities of caries. Statistical analysis of the findings of the present study revealed no significant difference between GK-101E and water, with regard to both the force and the number of excavation strokes and the time needed for caries removal. It is concluded that, under the given test conditions, the removal of carious dentine is not significantly enhanced by the chemical action of GK-101E.