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Guiding Caries Removal Through Biological Principles: A Narrative Review on Selective Caries Tissue Preservation.
Jiayi Wang1, Yuanhang Zhao1, Rong Han1
1Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
International Dental Journal
|July 6, 2026
Summary
Selective caries removal (SCR) is a safe and effective minimally invasive technique for deep carious lesions. This approach preserves tooth structure and pulp vitality, showing promising results in clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Oral Health
- Minimally Invasive Dentistry
Background:
- Dental caries is a prevalent global oral disease.
- Complete caries removal risks pulp exposure and complications.
- Selective caries removal (SCR) is an emerging minimally invasive strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biological basis and clinical techniques of SCR.
- To support evidence-based decision-making for deep carious lesions.
- To provide an integrated overview of SCR.
Main Methods:
- Narrative literature review across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science.
- Focused on controlled clinical studies in dental microbiology, caries removal, and detection.
- Included experimental, clinical, and epidemiological studies; qualitative synthesis.
Main Results:
- SCR preserves remineralizable dentine near the pulp, reducing pulp exposure.
- No increased postoperative symptoms or restoration failures compared to non-SCR.
- SCR may maintain pulp vitality in primary and permanent teeth.
- Evidence is generally encouraging but limited by short follow-up (12-24 months) and methodological heterogeneity.
Conclusions:
- SCR is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive option for deep caries.
- Current evidence is supportive but requires cautious interpretation due to study limitations.
- Further long-term studies are needed to confirm sustained efficacy and applicability.
