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    Gen Dent. 2002 Jul-Aug;50(4):333-8.

    A paradigm shift in the treatment of caries.

    Source

    University of Illinois, Chicago College of Dentistry, USA.

    Abstract

    This paper presents a shift in the paradigm for treating dental caries from a surgical to a medical approach. Two key points are essential to understanding caries. First, caries is a bacterial infection caused by specific bacteria. Second, before cavitation, caries is a reversible multifactoral process. Two features, caries activity and caries risk, provide a diagnosis and prognosis leading to a treatment plan. Patients receive treatment using a medical model consisting of four steps: bacterial control; reduction of risk levels for at-risk patients; reversal of active sites by remineralization; and follow-up and maintenance.

    PMID:
    12640849
    [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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