MINIMAL INTERVENTION DENTISTRY
We want to help you keep your teeth for life. Minimal intervention dentistry is the secret to reaching this goal.
What does minimal intervention dentistry mean for you?
- Your teeth will last longer.
- Modern composites are repairable, which means they can be fixed rather than replaced. This saves money and time.
- Help to break the drill-and-fill cycle for the next generation.
Historical Dentistry
In the past, dentists and school dental nurses worked with filling materials such as metal amalgam. These materials needed to be thick or they would break. No one understood the structure of teeth or the consequences of cutting it away. When drilling holes, they followed the philosophies of ‘extension for prevention’ and ‘if in doubt, drill it out’. The removal of sound tooth was not only encouraged but incorporated into filling design. This resulted in generations of heavily restored, amalgam-filled teeth.
Unfortunately, this approach failed to recognise that a cavity is a symptom of bacterial disease. As the disease has not been treated, decay is likely to continue. Removing excessive tooth structure caused two problems: firstly, the tooth loses any ability to heal itself; secondly, these types of preparations weakened teeth and were typically followed by fractured cusps, fractured fillings, and a lifetime of maintenance.
The modern alternative to drilling and filling teeth
Times have changed and we have replaced the ‘drill-and-fill’ concept with ‘predict and prevent’. Minimal intervention dentistry embraces the following areas:
- Early detection
- Caries risk assessment and management (CaMBRA)
- Prevention
- Remineralisation and healing
- Microdentistry
- Minimally invasive restorations
- Adhesive dentistry
- Biomimetic dentistry
The minimal intervention dentistry process in detail
Early detection
The first detection of decay and gum disease takes place during our comprehensive examinations.
Risk assessment
Everyone is different. We evaluate the tooth decay risk of each individual using CaMBRA, or Caries Management by Risk Assessment.
Prevention
We give strategies to help lower your tooth decay risk. This may involve dietary changes, homecare techniques, fluoride and xylitol treatments, and protective coatings on teeth.
Remineralisation
If decay is treated before a cavity develops, the tooth can heal itself. This is known as remineralisation. Fluoride helps the rebuilt tooth to be even stronger. We can apply fluoride treatments in the surgery and give you toothpaste and mouthwash options.
Repairing the damage
Once a tooth surface has broken down, the tooth can no longer heal itself. We use advanced bonding techniques, technology, and the latest materials to avoid cutting away tooth. Some of these techniques include fissure protection, composite fillings, and bite splints.
Review & Monitoring
To ensure your teeth are kept healthy, we re-assess during dental and hygiene recall appointments your tooth decay risk. The frequency of these checks depends on your risk profile and follows scientifically proven protocols. Recall appointments are essential for the success of your ongoing care.
The verdict
Dental techniques are always evolving. However, in our lifetime, it is highly unlikely that we will be able to grow existing teeth back to their original forms. Once your tooth is gone, it is gone forever. Materials will become thinner and stronger. Bonds will become stronger but will depend on sound, natural tooth structure to support them. Minimal intervention dentistry is the best way to future proof your mouth and prepare you for what lies around the corner.