[Caries management]

Within modern dentistry, a change from invasive to non-invasive strategies for the treatment of dental caries seems to be apparent. The foundation of non-invasive care is old, but is now interpreted differently as a result of new insights. Caries is a dynamic and multi-factorial process that takes place in the biofilm. There is a growing awareness that dental professionals are better off concentrating on controlling the causes of the disease than merely fighting the symptoms. The most important component seems to be the mechanical cleaning with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Operative care is only necessary when mechanical cleaning fails to control the caries and when the process proceeds into the dentin or when mechanical cleaning has become impossible due to cavitation. However, a suitable treatment strategy, which takes into consideration the dynamic nature of the caries process, can only be indicated when one has a clear picture of both the caries activity and the specific caries risk of the individual patient.