Minimally invasive treatments for pediatric dentistry

Abstract

Introduction: Minimally invasive (MI) treatment of dental caries is an approach that considers the management of carious lesions with conservative techniques to preserve maximum tooth structure. Objective: To analyze the literature on some MI treatment alternatives for the management of caries lesions that are currently used, sealants, atraumatic restorative treatment, infiltration and Hall technique. Methodology: An extensive literature search was carried out in the PubMed, SCOPUS and Google Scholar databases, analyzing the keywords: minimally invasive treatments, sealants, atraumatic restorative treatment, resin infiltration and Hall technique.Results: Pit and fissure sealants show high rates of durability, both in permanent and primary teeth, they help to reduce and stop caries. Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) helps stop active caries and cavitated caries, stops the spread of infection, decay, relieves pain and anxiety. Infiltrative resin helps in the reduction of white stain, although it has been found to be more effective in fluorosis and hypo mineralization can be used in both permanent and primary teeth, it reduces and seals the white stains to stop their progression. The Hall technique controls carious lesions in primary molars, shows a low failure rate and offers good acceptance in uncooperative patients, although it may be more uncomfortable for patients.Conclusions: Pit and fissure sealants and infiltrative resin are good treatments of choice for patients with mild carious lesions either active or inactive, atraumatic restorative treatment and the Hall technique are treatments that can be used when moderate carious lesions and in situations where a traditional dental clinic is lacking.