Minimal Intervention Dentistry

The approach of "EXTENSION FOR PREVENTION" by Sir G.V. Black was necessary at that time since there was no other valid alternative. But a number of problems arose from this approach. 1st it fails to recognize that cavitation is essentially a symptom of a bacterial disease and 2nd it denies the ability of the tooth structure to remineralise and heal. Once tooth structure is removed, for whatever reason, it cannot be remineralised and the original form, anatomy, and strength are lost forever.However the disease still was not cured and in the absence of high quality restorative procedures and carefully executed preventive routines the carious process is likely to continue. The most serious consequence is that the tooth will be so physically weakened by the relatively extensive nature of the initial cavity design that further breakdown is likely to occur within either the tooth structure or the restoration. The PHILOSOPHY of minimal intervention dentistry has now arisen is an attempt to combine all the present knowledge of prevention,remineralization, ion exchange, healing and adhesion with the objective of reducing carious damage in the simplest and least invasive in answer passive.