Material selection and criteria for minimal invasive dentistry

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases and affect people of all ages worldwide. While severe caries requires partly or even entire replacement of the tooth structure, it can also be minimal invasively treated with restoratives in the early stages of caries development. Further, the primary prevention, based on common risk factors, as well of minimal invasive, tissue-preserving approaches ask for a variety of different treatment strategies. Along with the different procedures arise the question of a suitable material selection, which is determined by the individual carious situation.

This lecture provides an overview of the different stages of caries decay and will focus on minimal invasive treatment strategies. Especially for the early stages of decay, the required materials and different treatment procedures are presented. Material classes like glassionomers, resin composites and ceramics will be discussed and compared for the use in minimal invasive dentistry. Special attention will be drawn on specific advantages/ disadvantages and on processing characteristics and longevity of the different material classes.