Curious about minimally invasive dentistry? Continue reading to learn more about recent advancements in dentistry that allow for less invasive treatment. As the name indicates, minimally invasive dentistry deals with techniques that preserve the tooth's natural structure, focusing mostly on prevention and preservation.
The basic goal of dentistry is to ensure patients keep their natural teeth for as long as possible. Minimally invasive dentistry allows the dentist to achieve that by prioritizing the prevention of numerous common tooth issues. Then, when there is an issue, the dentist can recommend restorations that retain most of the patient's natural tooth structure.
The three major features of minimally invasive dentistry are dietary prevention, dental prophylaxis, and less invasive dental restorations. The benefits include:
A minimally invasive dentist would often advise their patients to take their at-home oral hygiene seriously to keep the teeth protected and prevent dental issues in the future.
Eating a primarily whole food, plant-based diet, and avoiding most processed foods rich in simple sugars are all possible dietary modifications. Any high-quality probiotics may aid in the development of healthier microflora in the oral cavity and the body. Green tea consumption has also been linked to improved dental health.
In the past, dentists learned to drill out tooth decay and cavities using the now-outdated practice of "extension for prevention." This entailed drilling undecayed grooves at the risk of future cavities. There was less worry about damaging the tooth structure. However, these days, dentists are more concerned with preserving the original tooth structure. Drilling is still done in minimally invasive dentistry, but it is done with greater care now.
The dentist can remove the decayed portion of the tooth only, leaving most of the good tooth structure alone, by utilizing the tiniest burrs possible on a drill and extremely high-powered magnification. They also exclusively utilize direct resin (white) fillings instead of amalgam fillings, which contain mercury and need significant tooth preparation for application.
Minimally invasive dentists tend to opt for the least intrusive treatment options, concentrating on preventing oral health issues rather than treating them after the symptoms have worsened. For example, the dentist may only utilize root canal therapy after exhausting other alternatives, preferring to employ less invasive treatments wherever feasible.
This is a significant benefit for people who have a dental phobia or prefer to avoid going to the dentist than undergo an intrusive operation. In addition, when less intrusive procedures are employed, recovery times are usually shorter.
Minimally invasive dentistry is good for patients with dental anxiety. The fear of pain, drilling noises, and discomfort during dental procedures can prevent children and adults from seeking dental care. The techniques used by dentists in this field make the operation faster and easier, and it sometimes eliminates the need for numbing needles or injections for those who are frightened of needles.
If you are interested in learning more about minimally invasive dentistry, contact our dental office today to book an appointment.
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