“Less is more” is the heart of the minimally invasive dentistry practice. This approach has been seen more and more in the limelight at clinics throughout the world. Its goal is to provide beautiful restorations without having to remove healthy tissue, tooth, and bone. Historically dental restorations have had to remove healthy dental tissue to make treatment possible. With minimally invasive dentistry, this is a thing of the past. The advent of modern dental materials has influenced the practice of minimally invasive dentistry a great deal. These materials make it possible to do more while taking less while making future repairs easier.
Minimally Invasive Restorative Dentistry And You
The removal of significant amounts of healthy dental tissue has been a flaw in dental restoration technology for decades. It cannot be denied that the results were effective, with millions of Americans seeing the benefits. However, it has also been proven that the less healthy tissue you remove in the process, the better off the patient’s oral health is. Minimally invasive dentistry involves advanced techniques to limit the need to remove dental tissue to effect a restoration. The outcome is a restoration that is effective, attractive, and retains dental health while leaving room for future repairs.
Common minimally invasive restorative dentistry treatments include:
- Sealants – Plastic resin coatings known as dental sealants can produce great results. They form a barrier between the tooth and the bacteria and acid responsible for decay. The material fits seamlessly into the natural shape of the tooth without cutting or drilling.
- Mini-Dental Implants – Traditional implants generally involve the use of bone grafts to produce enough bone to place the mount. Mini-dental implants don’t require bone grafts to place, making them a less invasive option.
- Inlays and Onlays – An alternative to crowns, inlays, and onlays make it possible to repair specific parts of the tooth without removing significant amounts of tissue.
- Teeth Whitening – Eliminating staining on the teeth is possible through teeth whitening treatments. These have no effect on the integrity of the tooth while providing stunning results.
- Minimal Prep Veneers – This type of ultrathin veneer provides the enhanced appearance of a traditional veneer without removing dental tissue.
- Dental Lasers – This tool is used to eliminate decay and bacteria from the teeth while only removing a minimal amount of tissue.
- Bite Guards – These appliances are helpful for those who suffer from clenching or grinding their teeth. They don’t require the removal of any material, surgery, or complex procedures. They are simply placed in the mouth while sleeping.
- Remineralization – While missing enamel cannot be replaced, existing enamel can be strengthened and healed. Remineralization is a process, often involving fluoride, that helps enhance the strength of existing enamel.
Each of these procedures represents the area known as minimally invasive dentistry. They each focus on producing results for your dental health that don’t require the removal of significant amounts of dental material. Recovery times from these procedures are often brief to non-existent. This means beautiful teeth without taking time out from your busy life.
Your Dentist Can Help You Discover Minimally Invasive Dentistry
Being able to get dental treatments with visible results without significant time in the chair or out of work is wonderful. Speak to your dentist to discover which of the above procedures can make a difference for you.
