title: Rationale and treatment approach in minimally invasive dentistry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Current methods of detecting caries, especially fissure caries, are inaccurate, causing some caries to go undetected until it has reached more advanced stages. Minimally invasive dentistry is a philosophy in which the goal of intervention to conserve healthy tooth structure. The authors review the rationale and role of air abrasion in successful practice in the 21st century that includes the philosophy of minimal intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This objective encompasses a range of clinical procedures that includes assessment of caries risk to reinforce patient self-help, early detection of the disease before lesion cavitation to fortify the oral environment, restoration of fissure caries with maximum retention of sound tooth structure and sealant placement in unaffected areas. This conservative approach minimizes the restoration/re-restoration cycle, thus benefiting the patient over a lifetime.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry 94143-0758, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Eakle
mesh_terms: D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000379:methods; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants