Chapter 9.2: Non-Operative Treatment of Coronal Caries.

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Cariology
• Preventive Dentistry

Background:

• Nonoperative treatment of coronal caries aims to control the disease process at subclinical or clinical levels.
• This approach focuses on biological determinants and patient-specific risk assessment for effective management.
• Evidence-based strategies are crucial for successful caries control in daily dental practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the implementation of nonoperative caries treatment in clinical practice.
• To emphasize the biological determinants influencing caries management.
• To highlight the importance of patient involvement and compliance in achieving treatment success.

Main Methods:

• Treatment planning based on patient history, clinical examination, radiographic assessment, and risk stratification.
• Implementation of core nonoperative measures for caries-inactive patients.
• Application of additional professional and self-applied measures for caries-active patients.

Main Results:

• Nonoperative treatment can effectively control caries disease progression when tailored to patient risk.
• Patient compliance and understanding of the evidence-based approach significantly influence treatment outcomes.
• Clinical cases demonstrate both the successes and limitations of nonoperative caries management.

Conclusions:

• Nonoperative caries treatment is an evidence-based strategy requiring a collaborative approach between dental professionals and patients.
• Successful caries control depends on accurate risk assessment, appropriate measure selection, and high patient compliance.
• Continuous professional development is essential for dental teams to provide optimal nonoperative caries treatment.