Minimally invasive dentistry

What is the difference between regular dentistry and minimally invasive dentistry?
Minimally invasive dentistry or what is called microdentistry, focuses on conservation of healthy tooth structure. This type of dental treatment targets prevention, remineralization and as little intervention from the dentist. Using special scientific devices, like Lasers, air abrasion and microfine diamonds, minimally invasive dentistry allows dentists to perform the least amount of dental work, while never removing more of the tooth structure than is required to restore teeth to their normal and healthy condition. Also, along with minimally invasive dentistry dentist can now use longer lasting dental materials like bonded composites or bonded porcelain restorations that help to conserve the maximum tooth structure so the need for future repair is reduced. Minimally invasive dentistry really has a core philosophy of preserving healthy tissue. We have seen the age of overpreperation of teeth to meet the requirements of restorative materials and now we’re progressing to designing restorations that provide the greatest structural integrity to the teeth and the best long term predictability.

How does it work?
Before a dentist performs any procedures, he will evaluate your risk for tooth decay and periodontal disease. The presence of bacteria, the quantity and quality of saliva, and what you eat are all contributors to decay and gum disease.When this information is evaluated your dentist will develop strategies to prevent or reduce your risk for tooth decay and gum disease.

What sort of techniques are used?

Bite splints:
Many people grind or clench their teeth during the night and sometime during the day when they are under stress. Grinding or Bruxing of the teeth can cause serious damage, and if severe enough may require you to get crowns. Severe grinding and clenching can cause fracturing of the teeth and possible extraction or root canals to be done. If you are grinding and if the dentist detects the problem early enough, treatment can be done to help correct these destructive tooth to tooth contacts. Dr. Marill can create bite splints for you to wear at night or during stressful times when most teeth grinding occurs.

Remineralization:
Remineralization is the process of replacing the minerals lost on a tooth that has started to decay. Some times remineralization can repair the damage caused by the acids produced by the oral bacteria that eventually causes demineralization if not removed regularly. Fluoride and certain calcium products play a very important role in remineralization.

Air Abrasion and Lasers:
When certain teeth can not be remineralized and the beginning of decay might be too deep, air abrasion and lasers can be used to remove the decay. Air abrasion and lasers are sometimes used instead of a traditional drill and may not require anesthesia. Air abrasion resembles sand blasting and use a high pressure stream of air combined with a super-fine abrasive powder. Lasers are high energy instruments that when used properly can remove decay that has started to develop shallow lesions on the teeth. In some cases, when the decay is shallow, anesthesia is not needed and the use of the laser is an acceptable procedure to remove this shallow decay.

Sealants:
Usually made of a composite resin material, dental sealants protect teeth from bacteria that cause dental decay. Sealants are flowed into the grooves and depressions of the chewing surfaces of the teeth and act as a barrier, protecting the teeth against harmful acids and plaque. In most cases, sealants to not require any preparation on the teeth, and can be placed on the teeth that might be susceptible to decay at any time.

Inlays and onlays:
Most dentists use crowns to restore teeth that are broken down, but inlays and onlays don’t require the dentist to remove as much of the tooth structure. Inlays are similar to fillings except that they are custom made to fit the preparation in your tooth and are typically the same color of the tooth or they can be made out of gold. Onlays are preparations that are made on the teeth when more substantial reconstruction of the teeth is needed. Both of these procedures, the inlay and the onlay, do not require your dentist to remove as much of the tooth as would placing a crown.