The title of this website is Minimal Intervention Dentistry and it is thus named because it is suggested that this is the way of the  future.

 For a long time now the profession has accepted that the common dental diseases, caries and periodontal disease, should be treated mechanically rather than biologically.  Certainly at the beginning of the last century there was little alternative and GV Black set out a detailed system for the treatment of caries based upon surgical techniques.  That is – identify a lesion and remove it surgically.

 The result of course is loss, not only of diseased tooth structure, but also of surrounding sound enamel and dentine as well. The remaining crown of the tooth can be severely weakened and end result is often a continuum of replacement dentistry leading to further weakening with potential loss of vitality.

    It is suggested that knowledge has advanced now to the stage where the disease can be handled both biochemically and behaviourally with a high level of success. The origins of the disease are well understood and a far more effective approach is possible to prevention in the first place or to healing of the early lesion if prevention has not been entirely successful.

    Recognition, control and elimination of the disease are the prime essentials in modern conservative, minimal intervention dentistry. In the absence of disease the concept of “extension for prevention” is no longer valid so cavity designs should be predicated solely upon the extent of the lesion.

 Apparently sound tooth structure should be maintained at all cost so that the strength and integrity of the crown will not be compromised any further than is essential.

     More exact diagnostic tools are being developed for risk and activity assessment for individual patients. Dentists will work to monitor the disease at a molecular level before irreversible damage occurs through bacterial diagnostics  and mineral balance monitoring to stabilise the oral environment.

     New tools are being developed such as S. Mutans adherence inhibiting antibodies, vaccination, “rebuilding/ replacement therapy” using genetics (Ref #5), improved remineralising solutions and improved ways of delivering fluoride and other desirable ions to the saliva and the tooth surface.