Microinvasive Dentistry Clinical Strategies and Tools

Tooth decay, also known as dental caries or cavities, is a breakdown of teeth due to acids made by bacteria. The cavities may be a number of different colours from yellow to black. Symptoms may include pain and difficulty with eating.

Microinvasive techniques involve preparing the tooth surface with an acid and then either placing a seal on top of the surface or 'infiltrating' the softer demineralised tissue with resins. These newer methods work by installing a barrier either on the tooth surface or within the demineralised tissue to protect it against acids and avoid the further loss of minerals from within the tooth, thus helping to stop the decay.

This book is a comprehensive guide to techniques, technologies and tools used in microinvasive dentistry.

Divided into four sections, the text begins with an overview of caries and its prevention. The following sections provide in depth discussion on diagnosis through various imaging devices, then different treatment options and technologies. The final section covers future developments including enamel regeneration and photobiomodulation.

Authored by an internationally recognised, New Jersey-based expert in the field, the book is further enhanced by clinical photographs, diagrams and tables.

Table of Contents

Section I: Caries prevention

Introduction

Prevention: fluoride & enamel regeneration

Caries-penetrating resin therapy

Identifying patients at risk of caries

Section II: Diagnosis

Intraoral video cameras

Near infrared transillumination

Canary System

Section III: Treatment options and technique

SoproLife® dental caries detection system

Laser fluorescence caries diagnostic device: Diagnodent

The Surgical microscope for diagnosis and treatment of caries

Conventional diagnostic failures

Microbiological aspects of caries treatment

Air abrasion: background and cavity preparation

Air abrasion: technique

Erbium Lasers

CO2 lasers (9300 nm)

Dentin regeneration

Ozone therapy

Conventional treatment failures

Section IV: Future caries diagnosis and management

Enamel regeneration

Photobiomodulation