Conservative Access and Excavation for Dentin and Enamel Preservation (California Edition)

Categories: TMD and Occlusion

Author(s): Daniel Boston

Course Type: Self-instruction journal and web based activity

Target Audience: Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienist, Dentists from novice to advanced

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Educational Objectives

•Understand the use of a unique carbide bur in the treatment of carious occlusal fissures for a range of lesion sizes and configurations
•Understand the use of and potential indications for a novel polymer bur for excavation of carious dentin
•Utilize a range of treatment options for management of carious dentin
•Describe the scientific rationale for the design and use of these technologies
•Identify potential clinical advantages for these technologies
•Access additional relevant literature and assess evidence for these approaches

Abstract

Conservative approaches to the operative treatment of carious lesions in occlusal fissures and carious lesions in general have the potential to improve treatment outcomes and the efficiency of care. This course presents two specific technologies that share these goals. A unique carbide bur is introduced for conservative and precise access to carious lesions in occlusal fissures. A novel polymer bur is presented for providing objective, efficient and conservative excavation of carious dentin. Techniques for access to smaller as well as more extensive lesions and for lesions that present with a range of carious involvement are considered. Applications for a range of treatment approaches for dentin carious lesions are presented based on current scientific evidence.