São Paulo, January 30, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - An enzyme extracted from papaya peels, papayene, may become the salvation of people who frequently put off visits to the dentist for fear of the whirring of the drill and all the other discomforts common in the treatment of cavities. Combined with other components, such as chloramine antiseptic, this substance softens tissue in the affected area, permitting the cavity to be removed without the need for anesthesia. It also allows clearance of part of the dentyne that ends up being removed together with the damaged area.

This represents the result of approximately two years of research based on a formula developed by professor Sandra Kalil Bussaroli, of the School of Dentistry of the University of São Paulo (USP) with the help of scientists from the Metropolitan University of Santos (UMS), the United Metropolitan Faculties (UniFMU), the São Paulo Dentists Syndicate, and the Central São Paulo Association of Dental Surgeons (APCD). This effort enabled her to arrive at a gel, called Papacárie ("Cavity-Eater"), which is already being produced by the Fórmula&Ação (Formula & Action) laboratory.

In addition to the advantage of dispensing with rotating cutting instruments, Bussaroli underlines the low cost. Each unit of the product, which sells for R$ 30.00, allows the dentist to perform 60 to 70 fillings. The professor believes that the application of this product will make it possible to extend dental health care to a larger universe of people, especially the low income population, which is almost always excluded access to the system of prevention. (DAS)