Description: Dental caries is one of the most common diseases worldwide. Treatment options can vary from fluoride treatments that can reverse and remineralize early lesions to antimicrobials, to surgical options such as fillings, crowns, root canals, and even extractions. Conventional surgical treatment options involve numbing an area with an injection of local anesthesia and then physically removing the decay with a drill. These methods have been known to provoke fear and anxiety among patients. Because of this, children often undergo sedation which has its own risks, and many patients avoid treatment and the dental office. Also, surgical methods tend to over-prepare lesions by removing healthy dentin. The removal of healthy and decayed dentin compromises the tooth and reduces its long-term durability. These restorations weaken the tooth and results in what experts call, “the tooth cycle of death.” Minimally Invasive Care (MIC) has many benefits, especially for patients, as it includes treatment options that can reduce anxiety and result in better long-term outcomes. Chemomechanical Caries Removal (CCR) has been possible for many years using chemical solutions (sodium hypochlorite solutions). However these chemistries have been harsh, and complicated to apply. The latest movement in the United States when it comes to MIC uses an enzyme-based (natural and non-toxic) solution to soften and remove decayed tooth structure with an easy application process. It only dissolves/removes infected dentin preserving both affected dentin and sound dental tissue. This painless procedure reduces anxiety/fear and is another tool in the MIC playbook.
