title: Management of patients with active caries.
abstract: This paper reports on a mechanism to manage caries as a disease and to medically intervene in the disease process to halt progression. The goal of this paper is to provide this alternative to a surgical-only approach. The management of caries begins with assessing lesion activity and the potential for arrest. This requires a clinical and radiological assessment and evaluation of risk. Hopeless teeth are extracted and large cavities filled to reduce infection. Risk reduction strategies are employed so efforts to arrest lesions can be successful. Teeth with lesions in the enamel or outer third of the dentin should be sealed, not restored, as restorations can weaken teeth and can be traumatic to pulps.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Milgrom
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018441:Biofilms; D002638:Chewing Gum; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000379:methods; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D003804:Dentin / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010808:Physical Examination; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D018570:Risk Assessment; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014089:Tooth Remineralization / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002638:Chewing Gum; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D011206:Povidone-Iodine