[Novel treatment possibilities for proximal caries]

Abstract

So far approaches for caries treatment follow a dichotomized scheme: Non invasive options of primary and secondary prevention are contrasted to invasive treatment of caries lesions. Depending on the treatment philosophy of dentists and dental schools an early or late invasive treatment threshold is recommended. Sealing of proximal lesions as done in pit and fissures has only been established in some dental schools, so far. Moreover, infiltration of the enamel part of lesions could close the gap between preventive and invasive measures. Most of these novel treatment options for proximal surfaces are currently in the last stages of product development. With respect to the good clinical results of proximal sealing with conventional sealants, this regimen seems already be recommendable to hamper further lesion progression in clinical practice. Caries infiltration of lesions situated on proximal and other smooth surfaces might even be a more promising approach, if clinical studies corroborate the recent in vitro findings. All these novel limited invasive strategies might be suitable to complete the current dichotomized way of caries treatment.