[Non-Restorative Cavity Treatment. Managing rather than masking caries activity].
The traditional restorative approach to active dentin caries in the temporary dentition is questioned. This paper argues in favour of a causal approach. The causal approach focuses on caries management. Restoration is of secondary importance. Delay or replacement of invasive restorative treatment by a causal approach decreases discomfort for children and promotes oral health over time. A form of causal treatment is the so called Non-Restorative Cavity Treatment. This approach requires that some measures be taken for managing cavitated caries lesions: 1. written informed consent; 2. making the cavity accessible for plaque removal; 3. treating carious dentition with anti-cariogenic agents and/or applying a protective layer to the carious dentition; 4. monitoring the caries process; 5. effective communication about dental health education. Some diagnostic criteria are important for the risk assessment of cavitated lesions: 1. activity of the caries lesion; 2. accessibility of the caries lesion for plaque control; 3. depth of the cavity; 4. condition of the pulp.


CONCLUSIONS
the causal approach can arrest the caries process even in advanced stages of decay.
Gruythuysen
R J M
RJ
Afdeling Cariologie Endodontologie Pedodontologie van het Academisch Centrum Tandheelkunde Amsterdam. r.gruythuysen@acta.nI
D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003804:Dentin / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000473:pathology; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005459:Fluorides