What is micro-invasive dentistry and provide an example?

• A. Invasive surgical procedures for decay
• B. Dental treatments with minimal removal of tooth structure such as resin infiltration or fissure sealing
• C. Full-coverage crowns as first line for small lesions
• D. Laser whitening only

Answer: (B)

Micro-invasive dentistry focuses on preserving tooth structure while treating early decay or minor defects with techniques that require minimal drilling. The goal is to intervene sooner and use conservative methods to halt progression or prevent it, so as to keep as much natural tooth as possible.

An example is resin infiltration, which uses a low-viscosity resin that penetrates porous, early caries lesions and arrests their progression without removing much tooth tissue. Another example is fissure sealing, where thin layers of sealant material cover vulnerable pits and fissures to prevent decay from starting.

These approaches embody the idea because they treat or prevent decay while preserving tooth structure. Invasive surgical procedures for decay involve more substantial drilling and removal of tooth tissue, which goes against micro-invasive principles. Full-coverage crowns as a first line for small lesions are excessive for that stage, and laser whitening, while minimally invasive cosmetically, isn’t about preserving or managing early decay.