479. New treatment promises to eliminate decay without the use of drills

A new procedure called Kariesinfiltration, the DMG company, promises to treat tooth decay without the use of drills. But it can only be used in some cases, explains the director of DMG, Susanne Stegen. The procedure is effective in fighting tooth decay at an early stage, one that is in the tooth enamel and moved no later than the first third of dentin. All that is requires deeper, unfortunately, the drill.
Usually the dentist has two treatment options: the first one he makes use of fluoride in the tooth in question and calls the patient to have a better oral hygiene. Then you wait to see if the glitch does not become a real hole.

Or he just uses the drill to remove decay at their early stages. In this case, however, healthy parts of the tooth are removed, the dentist explains Ulrich Schiffner, University Clinic of Eppendorf. In this case the problem is that, in holes that affect only the tooth enamel or a little more, you must first remove one part of the tooth in order to get to where the cavity.

Now, the new method offers the ability to fill a small hole without resorting to the drill and prevent the spread of decay to the deeper regions of the tooth. First the mineral layer on the defective area is eliminated with the use of a gel, then the new plastic material, called Icon, is still applied in liquid form. This plastic substance penetrates the enamel matrix, due to capillarity, and it is then, like any other plastic filler, hardened with light.

The procedure is designed especially for cavities located in the region between the teeth, but also for minor defects in smooth surface, such as in patients using the device.

Throughout Germany there are approximately six thousand professionals already applying the method Kariesinfiltration. The treatment lasts approximately 20 minutes and costs between 80 and 100 euros. The value is not covered by insurance in the country.

Early clinical trials with the Icon are not conclusive and are based, according to Schiffner, a period of 18 months. These studies show that approximately 75% of the treated tooth surface, cavities were eliminated.

DW-WORLD.DE, Deutsche Welle