Which statement is NOT a principle of minimally invasive tooth preparation?

• A. Extending preparation into sound dentin to ensure sealing
• B. Limiting preparation width and depth to carious tissue
• C. Not including non-carious pits and fissures
• D. Removing overlying, unsupported enamel

Answer: (A)

Minimally invasive tooth preparation focuses on preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible and sealing what needs sealing with adhesive techniques, rather than removing dentin or enamel unnecessarily. You remove carious tissue to stop the decay, but you should not extend into sound dentin just to achieve a seal. Extending into healthy dentin increases the risk to the pulp and weakens the tooth, defeating the goal of conservation. The other ideas fit this approach: limit the preparation to the carious tissue so you don’t remove sound structure, avoid touching non-carious pits and fissures so you don’t create unnecessary loss of enamel or dentin, and generally preserve enamel to maintain bonding surfaces and margins.