Dental Caries and Its Management

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral Health
• Preventive Dentistry

Background:

• Dental caries management has significantly evolved, shifting towards prevention and early detection.
• Current approaches integrate risk indicators and factor assessments for diagnosis.
• Minimally invasive dentistry principles guide modern caries management, prioritizing tissue preservation and pulp vitality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of the latest minimally invasive dental caries management and treatment options.
• To assist dental professionals in the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of dental caries.
• To highlight the importance of risk-based assessment and minimally invasive strategies.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed (MEDLINE) and Google Scholar.
• The search focused on studies published within the last five years (May 2018-May 2022).
• Keywords related to dental caries, minimally invasive dentistry, and risk assessment were utilized, with filters for study types and full-text availability.

Main Results:

• The review identified 683 articles, with the most relevant studies selected for analysis.
• Recent findings underscore the effectiveness of early caries detection and diagnosis based on risk assessment.
• Minimally invasive restorative techniques are highlighted as beneficial for managing caries and preserving healthy dental tissue.

Conclusions:

• Early detection and diagnosis of dental caries using risk assessment are effective strategies.
• Minimally invasive restorative techniques are crucial for managing dental caries and preserving tooth structure.
• Adoption of these modern approaches, centered on patient care, is encouraged for dental professionals.