[Comparative studies of carious defects filling using the classical method and dental drill, and using the Carisolv chemomechanical method and the YAG:Er CTL-1601 laser].

INTRODUCTION The aim of the study was to establish advantages and disadvantages of caries treatment methods and in consequence to choose the method that not only is the most friendly for a patient but also offers the largest range of use in treating of carious defects. MATERIAL AND METHODS Clinical examinations were conducted on the group of 312 patients of Dentistry Department of Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin and Dentist's Surgery "Centrum Stomatologii Eskulap". 312 carious defects were found in these patients. The patients were divided into 3 groups. In 1st group, carious defects were treated with YAG:Er CTL-1601 laser, in 2nd group carious defects were treated using the Carisolv chemomechanical method, in 3rd group carious defects were treated using classical method that is with the use of dental drills. CONCLUSIONS Painless treatment of caries despite the constant progress still causes problems and is often for dentists and their patients a real worry. As it turns out, despite the producer's assurances on painless treatment in their new methods, the problem still exists and has not been solved yet.