Minimum Intervention
A Vision of Caries Management in the 21st Century
Completing the picture of Minimum Intervention
Employing a medical approach to caries management is fast becoming an essential aspect of modern dental practice. As the truly innovative dental company, GC is pushing forward the concept of Minimum Intervention (MI).
Minimum Intervention or MI, is the modern 'medical' approach to the management of caries. Its' principles are very simple:
Identify and assess any potential caries risk factors at the earlier stage possible.
Prevent caries from occurring by eliminating or minimising these risk factors.
Restore the tooth in a conservative way when surgical repair is needed, by using bioactive materials which help to reform demineralised enamel and protect against further damage.
In contrast, the traditional surgical approach of drilling and filling only treats the symptoms of the disease not the cause and there is little or no emphasis on prevention.
To implement Minimum Intervention effectively, all three elements need to be integrated fully into the patient treatment plans.
GC and Minimum Intervention in caries management
GC is committed to the concept and principles of Minimum Intervention dentistry. As part of this commitment, GC already offers or will do so in the future:
A range of MI products such as diagnostic tests for bacteria and saliva that can identify patients at risk from caries,
Preventative measures such as CPP-ACP based products (Recaldent™) that help to maintain mineral balance,
Bioactive restorative materials that both restore and protect.
GC offers the complete picture of Minimum Intervention for caries management in the 21st century.
A vision of the future
As our understanding of caries disease and management improves, so dentistry is moving from the surgical to the medical MI approach. Within a few years, surgical restoration of caries may be the last course of treatment rather then the first. With the emphasis on identification and prevention, and the caring 'dentist-patient' relationship this tends to foster, so more patients should be attracted to the practice. Patients who are happy to undergo regular tests and simple preventive procedures against caries, rather than face frequent surgical intervention. Indeed, caries prevention rather than surgical intervention may become a major income stream in the future.
