title: Conservative cavity preparations.
abstract: When a caries lesion is detected, non-surgical means of treatment (fluorides, antimicrobials, and patient education) should be used unless it is a frank caries lesion. In that case, the lesion should be treated restoratively, but the patient should also be educated and treated to reduce caries risk. When the frank caries lesion is relatively small, the restorative treatment should simply involve removal of carious dentin and overlying unsupported enamel and placement of the restorative material. Of course, for weakened areas of the tooth, more extensive restorations may be indicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, Mail Code 7890, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA. summitt@uthscsa.edu
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Summitt
mesh_terms: D003188:Composite Resins; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000379:methods*; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000628:therapy; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins; D003723:Dental Amalgam