What is proximal sealing and its role in MID?

• A. Sealing non-cavitated proximal lesions to arrest caries progression, often using fluoride-releasing sealants or glass ionomer.
• B. Bonding crowns only.
• C. Drilling out all proximal caries.
• D. Root canal sealing.

Answer: (A)

Proximal sealing in minimally invasive dentistry focuses on arresting caries progression by sealing non-cavitated proximal lesions with fluoride-releasing materials, such as resin sealants or glass ionomer. This creates a barrier that blocks plaque accumulation and provides fluoride to promote remineralization, helping to halt the decay without drilling away tooth structure. It fits the MID mindset by preserving healthy tooth tissue and delaying or avoiding invasive restorations when the lesion is incipient and not cavitated. With proper case selection and follow-up, this approach can stop lesion progression and allow natural healing to continue.

Other approaches described aren’t about arresting early, non-cavitated proximal lesions: bonding crowns is a restorative method for structurally compromised teeth; drilling out all proximal caries is more invasive and aimed at removal rather than arrest; root canal sealing is an endodontic procedure unrelated to proximal caries management.