Microabrasive Technology for Minimal Restorations

With the development of new dental restorative materials, advances in adhesive dentistry, better understanding of the caries process, the tooth’s potential for remineralization and changes in caries prevalence and progression; the management of dental caries has evolved from G.V. Black’s “extension for prevention” to “minimally invasive.” This concept includes early detection of lesions; individual caries risk assessment; nonsurgical interventions; and a modified surgical approach that includes smaller tooth preparations with modified cavity designs and adhesive dental materials to repair rather than replacement of failing restorations. The goal is preservation of natural tooth structure. Microabrasive technology for minimally invasive dentistry is based on a large body of scientific evidence that has been summarized and discussed. The future promises further evolution toward a more primary preventive approach, facilitated by emerging technologies for diagnosis, prevention and treatment. However, there are technical, cultural and economic obstacles that must be overcome for this to be fully realized in clinical practice.