title: The minimally invasive management of early occlusal caries: a practical guide.
abstract: Pits and fissures on the occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth are sites affected commonly by demineralisation caused by the caries process. Clinicians face daily challenges in detecting these lesions, accurately diagnosing their activity and choosing from a range of management options. Traditionally, the detection of an active (or potentially active) occlusal lesion invariably resulted in the preparation of a standardised occlusal cavity, often extending beyond the confines of diseased tissue, followed by the insertion of a direct restorative material, most commonly dental amalgam. The overwhelming weight of contemporary evidence now favours minimally invasive (MI) operative management when required (usually after non-operative prevention has failed), and a wide range of equipment, materials and operative techniques is available to help operators to preserve the maximum amount of healthy/repairable tooth tissue and to allow restoration with more biologically respectful, tooth-preserving materials. This paper aims to provide clinicians with practical guidance in the prevention, early detection, predictable diagnosis and minimally invasive management of early occlusal carious lesions.
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mackenzie
authors.forename: Avijit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Banerjee
mesh_terms: D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility / Q000502:physiology; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000145:classification*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000145:classification; D003804:Dentin / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010808:Physical Examination; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants