ABSTRACT
In recent times the term ‘Minimal Intervention Dentistry’ has been coined to describe a new approach to the restoration of carious lesions. It has now been clearly acknowledged that caries is a bacterial disease and that treatment should therefore revolve primarily around overcoming the infection. It will then often be possible to interrupt the process and actually heal the early lesions prior to cavitation of the surface of the crown of the tooth. If this action is too late or unsuccessful, and the enamel surface is damaged sufficiently to retain plaque, then some degree of surgical intervention will become necessary to restore the smooth surface once more. But it is suggested that any surgical intervention should be as minimally invasive as possible and should
provide only for the removal of completely demineralized infected tooth structure. Remaining, partially demineralized enamel and dentine should be retained and remineralized wherever possible. This will lead to extensive preservation of natural tooth structure and this, in turn, will minimize aesthetic problems and at least slow down the need for replacement dentistry.
