Minimally Invasive Dentistry

Arizona including Phoenix, Scottsdale and Payson

In using minimally invasive dentistry, our goal is to preserve healthy tooth structure. We focus on preventing dental problems by remineralizing the teeth and minimizing dental intervention.

Minimally invasive dentistry is also called micro-dentistry because it calls for the least amount of dental work and the smallest removal of any tooth tissue consistent with keeping your teeth healthy.

Principles of Minimally Invasive Dentistry

• Perform the least amount of dentistry needed in any situation.
• Never remove any more tooth structure than is absolutely required to restore teeth to their normal condition.
• Always use dental materials that conserve the maximum of tooth structure.
• Use only dental materials that have been researched by leading dental schools and research institutions and that are recommended by leading practicing dentists.
• Use only the strongest and longest-lasting dental materials to reduce the need for future repairs and replacement.
• Use dental procedures that keep the number of necessary appointments to a minimum.
• Use only dental laboratories that use minimally invasive materials for tooth restoration.

How Does Minimally Invasive Dentistry Work?

We will first evaluate your risk of tooth decay. Factors which contribute to tooth decay are:

• The presence of bacteria
• Quality and quantity of saliva
• Your diet

We will then devise a treatment plan to correct any of these factors which are causing tooth destruction.

Techniques Used

Remineralization: When minerals are lost from the tooth enamel it weakens and becomes more susceptible to decay. Fluoride is used to restore lost minerals and remineralization can undo any damage caused by their loss.

Air Abrasion: When a tooth is decayed and cannot be remineralized, an alternative treatment is air abrasion. It uses a combination of very fine abrasive powder and a stream of air. Typically no anesthetic is necessary, although if you would prefer to have some, we will be glad to oblige. No drilling is needed.

Sealants: A dental sealant is an effective way to protect your teeth from bacterial decay. Sealants are made from a plastic resin and placed on any teeth that are vulnerable to decay. No drilling or anesthetic is required.

Inlays and Inlays: Porcelain inlays and onlays are effective and cosmetically attractive ways to repair and preserve a decayed tooth. They require less removal of tooth structure than a dental crown. An inlay is smaller, fitting within the tooth’s cusps and an onlay extends beyond the cusps to part of the outside surface. Both are custom-made to fit the cavity in your tooth, and the porcelain will be matched closely to your natural tooth color. They can also be done using a gold alloy.

Bite Splints: Tooth grinding is a common habit and many people do it while sleeping. The dental term for it is bruxism. It often begins during adolescence or the early 20s. Over time it causes premature wear on your teeth. We can detect such damage and correct it, and can also create a bite splint for you. That is a customized device you would wear at night or during any stressful time, when you would tend to grind your teeth.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Dentistry

Modern cosmetic dentistry uses new and superior dental materials both to create restorations and to adhere them to the teeth. Scientific research has given us a better understanding of how caries develop and how tooth decay can best be prevented or treated.

We offer the advantages of:

• Early detection of lesions
• Individual caries risk assessment
• Non-surgical intervention
• Smaller tooth preparations with modified cavity designs
• Adhesive dental materials and repair rather than replacement of failing restorations

Our goal is to preserve your natural tooth structure. Minimally invasive dentistry is based on a large body of scientific evidence that has been summarized and discussed. The future promises further evolution toward a more primary preventive approach, facilitated by emerging technologies for diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

Please call or email Winterholler Dentistry if you would like to schedule a personal consultation.