Conventional caries removal is associated with unpleasant perception of drilling, requirement of local anesthesia, pressure effects on the pulp, etc. The chemomechanical method of caries removal has overcome these shortcomings. It is not only more comfortable to the patient but also preserves the healthy tissue. The present study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the time taken for caries removal, perception of pain and presence of secondary caries after a period of 10 months with Papacarie (Formulae One, Brazil 2003) and the conventional method. Bilateral primary molars in 52 children age ranging from 5-12 years were selected and divided into group I (conventional method) and group II (chemomechanical method) and compared.

Mean time taken in the conventional method (14.5 ± 5.367 sec) was significantly higher than papain gel (11.2 ± 5.959 secs). The pain score in group 1 was significantly higher than in group 2. The pain experienced in the conventional method ranged from a minimum of 0 (none) to a maximum of 4 (uncomfortable). Whereas in papain gel, it ranged from 0 (none) to 2 (annoying). The presence of secondary caries after a follow-up of 10 months was not statistically significant.

Papacarie method seems to be promising as an alternative treatment procedure in pediatric dentistry.