Minimally invasive treatment of dental caries, an update

Abstract

The importance of this research lies in the effectiveness of the different minimally invasive techniques for the management of carious lesions. Objective: To analyze the minimally invasive treatment for the removal of carious lesions. The techniques evaluated were: conventional method, ART, papacarie, laser and abrasive air. Methodology: A compilation of articles published in the last 5 years was carried out using the PubMed electronic database. Abstracts and full texts were identified that included information on the techniques for minimally invasive treatment of carious lesions: the conventional method, ART, papacarie, laser and abrasive air. Results: The conventional technique is the most commonly used at present, but it is the most aggressive because it removes both healthy and infected tissue. ART is one of the most economical and least painful measures for caries management. Papacarie is a minimally invasive chemical removal method and does not require local anesthesia. Laser for caries removal is expensive, but it is one of the least abrasive ways to manage it, and the abrasive air does not irritate pulp or adjacent tissues. Conclusions: Removal of dental caries with rotary instruments is frequently associated with thermal and pressure effects on the pulp, resulting in pain. Due to the shortcomings of the bur, alternatives such as chemo-mechanical caries removal with sharp instruments (ART), laser and abrasive air were developed, which have a disintegrating effect on the caries tissue, while leaving healthy dentin largely intact.