CURRENT CONCEPTS AND TECHNIQUES IN CARIES EXCAVATION: A REVIEW

Abstract

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in children and adults which often leads to poor quality of life. Majorly, children are afraid of their dental visits and avoid dental appointments due to invasive dental treatment procedures which directly inuence their dental health and leads to poor oral and general health. Over the years, to emphasize a biological and conservative approach, treatment modality from “drill and ll” to “minimal intervention” has been evolved. Minimal intervention techniques function to conserve the tooth structure, limit the pulpal exposure, increase the long-term prognosis and lastly, to increase the cooperation of patients and their parents as well. Change is the “only constant” in this evolving world, and thereby for ages, there has been the introduction of various non-invasive caries removal strategies to ease and condolence the patients and the operator as well. Now is the era where the fundamental key is to repair not to replace.