Cariology

State-of-the-Art Minimally Invasive Dental Caries Treatment: Direct Composite Resin Restoration enhanced by Adhesive and Digital Technologies

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Minimally Invasive Adhesive Treatment Methods for Maximizing the Preservation of Healthy Teeth

One innovative approach in this field is adhesive treatment using composite resin, a material that combines ceramic and plastic to closely match the natural color of teeth. This method has gained attention for its ability to preserve healthy teeth as much as possible. By using advanced dental adhesives, we can restore lost teeth without removing healthy tooth structure, achieving both functional and aesthetic restoration in a single visit. In many cases, anesthesia is not required. Composite resin bonding is now used not only for typical cavities but also for tooth wear, bridges for missing teeth, and teeth fractures caused by injuries (see Figs. 1A and 1B).

Figure 1A shows an anterior tooth treated with direct composite resin restoration before the procedure, while Figure 1B shows the result after the procedure.

Figure 1A
Figure 1B

Precision and Innovation in Digital Dentistry

The success of composite resin restorations depends on achieving precision that can be discerned under magnified view. Residual caries or gaps in the filling can increase the risk of recurrence. Our department enhances treatment accuracy by using dental operating microscopes and other state-of-the-arte quipment, ensuring patient confidence through specialized care (Fig. 2: Composite resin restoration using a dental microscope).

Figure 2: Microscopically detailed dental caries treatment using direct composite restoration.
A rubber dam is used to enhance the quality of composite resin restoration, preventing moisture contamination and improving the adhesion of the resin.

Moreover, we are leading the way in digital technology-driven advancements in dental care, leveraging recent innovations in intraoral scanning, CAD, and 3D printing to pioneer smart and highly standardized treatment methods worldwide (Fig. 3: Direct composite resin restoration with digital technology).

Figure 3: Digital workflows enhance direct composite resin restoration.
An intraoral scanner, digital occlusion diagnosis, and CAD standardize the direct composite restoration using an injection molding technique.

Written by
Keiichi Hosaka, D.D.S, Ph.D.

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