Minimally Invasive Dentistry

Minimally invasive dentistry (MID) focuses on using techniques that preserve the tooth’s natural structure, primarily through prevention and preservation. The primary goal of MID is to preserve as much original healthy dental tissue for as long as possible. Petite Smiles embraces MID and incorporates this fresh approach by doing our best to provide preventive care and education about the causes of dental decay.

But if a cavity forms, we strive to catch it and treat it in its early stages (before it becomes a more extensive problem). We believe that healthy natural tooth structure is more valuable than restorations, so we will do our best to preserve it.

Minimally Invasive Dentistry Defined

Traditionally treating carious lesions is tricky. Traditionally, this treatment requires surgical intervention to remove diseased tooth structure and then replace the tooth structure with a restorative material to regain the form and function of the tooth. Plus, traditional cavity treatment comes with specific obstacles, like behavioral issues due to age or limited cooperation, access to care, and financial constraints.

To avoid the constraints of traditional cavity treatment,
Dr. Rashed offers minimally invasive dentistry techniques, including hall crowns, silver diamine fluoride, and atraumatic restorative technique.

The Foundations of Minimally Invasive Dentistry

Hall Crowns

A Hall Crown is an innovative, non-invasive technique that can restore primary teeth without using a handpiece or local anesthetic. By effectively encapsulating and starving harmful bacteria and creating an impenetrable seal around the tooth, it offers long-lasting protection from future bacterial colonization— ensuring your little one’s smile stays healthy for many years!

When the Hall Crown restorative technique was first introduced, there were some (understandable) concerns about its safety for children. However, a 2019 comprehensive study confirmed that it was indeed a compelling option: 95.3% success rate with conventional crowns and 95.8% success rate with Hall Crowns after six years – no statistical difference between them!

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)

Silver Diamine Fluoride is a topical solution that offers an easy and pain-free way to stop the progression of early tooth decay. As it drenches your teeth, its fluoride component helps strengthen enamel for lasting protection against cavities–no drilling or removal is required!

Silver Diamine Fluoride has been around for decades and is the ultimate solution for early tooth decay. Along with being a pocketbook-friendly treatment, it’s harmless, efficient, comfortable, and effective at preventing recurrent tooth decay. Kiss cavities goodbye with SDF.

Atraumatic Restorative Technique (ART)

The Atraumatic Restorative Technique is a minimally invasive, revolutionary technique used to to treat or halt the progression of dental caries without any drilling or anesthesia! Decay is carefully removed from the tooth using gentle hand and rotary instruments and then restored with either a stainless steel crown or a glass ionomer white filling – all in one comfortable, painless treatment. This technique is not always definitive but it does help to buy some time until a child is older and more cooperative for traditional restorative treatment.

Minimally Invasive Treatment

As the name suggests, our minimally invasive dentist opts for the least intrusive treatment options available and focuses on preventing the health issue’s root cause rather than slapping on band-aid solutions. For instance, Dr. Rashed might suggest root canal therapy only after exhausting all conservative alternatives.

The Benefits of Minimally Invasive Dentistry

Ironically, MID is anything but (as the teenagers say) “mid” (which is now slang for “average or poor quality”). So, we’ve briefly outlined a few advantages of MID:

This is NOT a drill! MID dentists employ typically powerful laser light rather than loud, annoying, (and, for some, anxiety-inducing) dental drills.
Minimally Invasive Dentistry is deemed gentle and biocompatible.
MID is ideal for patients with dental anxiety and extreme dental phobia.
Typically, recovery time is shorter.

Minimally Invasive Dentistry in Lorton, VA

If we’ve piqued your interest in minimally invasive dentistry, call (703)-688-2155 or send us a message online to book an appointment at Petite Smiles Boutique Pediatric Dentistry.