EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NON-INVASIVE METHODS FOR TREATING INITIAL DENTAL CARIES

The issue of treatment and prevention of dental caries doesn’t lose its relevance in the modern world since its prevalence reaches almost 100%. Basically treatment of dental caries is carried out by removal of affected tissues with further filling of the formed cavity with filling material. However, initial caries can be cured using non-invasive methods such as remineralization therapy, dental fluoridation and infiltration method. The purpose of the study is to compare the effectiveness of treating initial caries. Materials and methods: there were 46 patients 18-24 years old with a diagnosis K02.0 Caries limited to enamel (initial caries) under our supervision. The subjects were divided into 3 groups depending on the chosen non-invasive treatment method. Patients of group 1 (16 people) were prescribed a course of remineralizing therapy, group 2 (18 people) – application of fluoride-containing gel to demineralized areas of the teeth, and patients of group 3 (12 people) were treated with the infiltration method for initial caries. The effectiveness of treatment was assessed by the presence of external changes in the surface of the teeth, probing and duration of treatment. Results and discussion: after patients of group 1 completed the course of remineralizing therapy with gel “GC Tooth Mousse” there were no visual changes in the demineralized areas of the teeth; in some subjects roughness during probing disappeared. Patients of group 2 underwent fluoridation of enamel – no therapeutic effect was noted. Subjects of group 3 were treated with the infiltration method for initial caries; high efficiency was demonstrated. Conclusion: the most effective non-invasive method of treating initial caries is the infiltration method; remineralization therapy and fluoridation are recommended for the prevention of dental caries but not for its treatment.