Managing caries in the 21st century: today's terminology to treat yesterday's disease

Abstract

Background: For more than a century, dentistry has been treating the disease of dental caries largely by restoring teeth. Research in the microbiological and chemical mechanisms of the caries process over the past two decades suggests a fundamental rethinking of solely using this type of treatment approach.

Methods: A clinician's understanding of how the field has advanced has been impeded by the inconsistent use of dental terminology. This article will focus on defining dental caries and its related terms.

Conclusions: The term "caries," although used very liberally in the field, should be further defined in its context of use to avoid confusion, until which time an accepted international terminology system is developed.

Practice implications: Reducing or eliminating ambiguity in terminology used in managing dental caries is the first step in consistent diagnosis, detection, and finally treatment.