In patients with deep caries lesions, chemo-mechanical removal may be beneficial to mitigate pain experienced by the patient.

This meta-analysis was conducted to examine the effectiveness of chemo-mechanical caries removal for deep caries.

For finding out relevant studies, Epistemonikos (the largest database of systematic reviews in health) was searched. The data was extracted and meta-analysis was performed. Using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, a summary of findings tables was generated. Overall 30 studies were incorporated in this meta-analysis.

Chemo-mechanical caries removal may lower the restoration failure risk and pain experienced by the subject. It may raise time of the technique to remove deep caries. However, there is low certainty of evidence.

Hence, the chemo-mechanical caries removal may decrease pain and requirement for anesthesia in patients having deep caries lesion.