[Minimal intervention dentistry: a vision of caries management for older patients. II]

Minimal intervention dentistry (MID) is a new approach to caries management in older patients, which emphasize on early discussion, early diagnosis and early treatment. It focuses on stopping the disease process and patient-friendly surgical intervention only when required. Geriatric MID can improve oral ecological balance, lower caries risk, reverse dental caries process and reduce the pain when surgical intervention required. It can help clinicians in coping with erosion, abrasion, demineralization, rampant dental caries, retained roots, recurrent caries, subgingival caries, "wet" oral environment, salivary dysfunction, high plaque levels, swollen or bleeding gum and poor compliance in older patients. This article mainly describes the application of MID in surgical intervention of dental caries, including the strategies for caries removal, cavity preparation, choice of biology material, management of erosion and abrasion, "wet" subgingival environment and vital pulp therapy.