Selective removal of carious tissue in minimally invasive dentistry: literature review
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Published:
Jul 28, 2025
Keywords:
Minimally invasive surgical procedures. restorative dentistry. dental cavity/therapy. dental caries. preventive dentistry.
Main Article Content
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to evaluate current techniques in minimally invasive dentistry and compare their effectiveness and advantages with conventional methods. Methods: A search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases, including studies that assess new carious tissue removal techniques within minimally invasive dentistry. After the search, 28 studies were selected. Results: The research shows that selective carious tissue removal is safe and has success rates comparable to conventional techniques. Conclusion: Minimally invasive techniques, such as selective carious tissue removal, are a safe strategy that allows for the conservation of most of the dental tissue, offering multiple advantages over conventional techniques. General Area of Study: Dentistry. Specific area of study: Operative dentistry. Type of study: narrative bibliographic review.
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How to Cite
Auquilla Bravo , F. C., & Palacios Astudillo, I. A. (2025). Selective removal of carious tissue in minimally invasive dentistry: literature review. Anatomía Digital, 8(3), 128-142. https://doi.org/10.33262/anatomiadigital.v8i3.3464
Section
Articulos de revisión bibliográfica
References
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12. Nakrathok P, Kijsamanmith K, Vongsavan K, Rirattanapong P, Vongsavan N. The effect of selective carious tissue removal and cavity treatments on the residual intratubular bacteria in coronal dentine. Journal of Dental Sciences [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2024 December 14];15(4):411–418. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jds.2020.03.016
13. Figueroa Ortiz BB, Matute Heredia IM, Vizhñay Remache MF, Jaramillo León JM, Morales Bravo BR. Strategies for the management of carious lesions with and without removal of carious tissue. Anatomía Digital [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 December 14];7(3.3):129-151. Available from: https://doi.org/10.33262/anatomiadigital.v7i3.3.3199
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15. González-Gil D, Flores-Fraile J, Vera-Rodríguez V, Martín-Vacas A, López-Marcos J. Comparative meta-analysis of minimally invasive and conventional approaches for caries removal in permanent dentition. Medicina [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 December 20]; 60(3): 402. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60030402
16. Jurasic MM, Gillespie S, Sorbara P, Clarkson J, Ramsay C, Nyongesa D, et al. Deep caries removal strategies: findings from The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Journal of the American Dental Association [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 December 20];153(11):1078-1088.e7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2022.08.005
17. Fernández CE, González-Cabezas C, Fontana M. Minimum intervention dentistry in the US: an update from a cariology perspective. British Dental Journal [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2024 December 20];229(7):483–486. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-2219-x
18. Showkat N, Singh G, Singla K, Sareen K, Chowdhury C, Jindal L. Minimal invasive dentistry: Literature review. Journal of Current Medical Research and Opinion [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2024 December 20];3(09): 631-636. Available from: https://doi.org/10.15520/jcmro.v3i09.340
19. Dawett B, Young S, Deery C, Banerjee A. Minimally invasive selective caries removal put into practice. Dental Update [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2024 December 20]; 47(10): 841-847. Available from: https://doi.org/10.12968/denu.2020.47.10.841
20. Schwendicke F, Splieth C, Breschi L, Banerjee A, Fontana M, Paris S, et al. When to intervene in the caries process? An expert Delphi consensus statement. Clinical Oral Investigations [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2024 December 22];23(10):3691–3703. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-019-03058-w
21. Nair MJ, Rao A, Bs S. Selective caries removal- a new improvised technique for caries management. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2024 December 22]; 15(4): 2959-2964. Available from: https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i4.17154
22. Gill K, Stevenson RG. Navigating through caries excavation and pulp capping techniques in permanent teeth. Dentistry Review [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 December 22];4(1):100078. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dentre.2024.100078
23. Jardim JJ, Alves LS, Decourt RF, De Paula LM, Mestrinho HD, Maltz M. Cost-effectiveness of selective caries removal versus stepwise excavation for deep caries lesions. Brazilian Oral Research [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 December 22];37. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-2023.vol37.0083
24. Dhar V, Pilcher L, Fontana M, González-Cabezas C, Keels MA, Mascarenhas AK, et al. Evidence-based clinical practice guideline on restorative treatments for caries lesions: A report from the American Dental Association. Journal of the American Dental Association [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 December 22]; 154(7):551-566.e51. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2023.04.011
25. Kirilova JN, Kirov D. Minimally invasive treatment of dental caries – a clinical study. Journal of Medical and Dental Practice [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 January 5]; 10(1):1618–1700. Available from: https://doi.org/10.18044/MedInform.2023101.1658
26. Verdugo-Paiva F, Zambrano-Achig P, Simancas-Racines D, Viteri-García A. Remoción selectiva comparado con remoción total para caries dentinarias profundas. Medwave [Internet]. 2020 [citado 7 enero 2025]; 20(1): e7758. Disponible en: https://www.medwave.cl/puestadia/resepis/7758.html?lang=en
27. Barros MMAF, De Queiroz Rodrigues MI, Gomez Muniz FWM, Azevedo Rodrigues LK. Selective, stepwise, or nonselective removal of carious tissue: which technique offers lower risk for the treatment of dental caries in permanent teeth? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Oral Investigations [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2025 January 7];24(2):521–532. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-019-03114-5
28. Jardim JJ, Mestrinho HD, Koppe B, de Paula LM, Alves LS, Yamaguti PM, et al. Restorations after selective caries removal: 5-Year randomized trial. Journal of Dentistry [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2025 January 10]; 99:103416. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2020.103416
2. Par M, Cheng L, Camilleri J, Lingström P. Applications of smart materials in minimally invasive dentistry – some research and clinical perspectives. Dental Materials [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 December 9];40(11):2008-2016. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dental.2024.09.017
3. Clarkson JE, Ramsay CR, Ricketts D, Banerjee A, Deery C, Lamont T, et al. Selective caries removal in permanent teeth (SCRiPT) for the treatment of deep carious lesions: a randomised controlled clinical trial in primary care. BMC Oral Health [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2024 December 9];21(336). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-021-01637-6
4. Torres PJ, Phan HT, Bojorquez AK, Garcia-Godoy F, Pinzon LM. Minimally invasive techniques used for caries management in dentistry: a review. Journal of Clinic Pediatric Dentistry [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2024 December 10]; 45(4):224–232. Available from: https://doi.org/10.17796/1053-4625-45.4.2
5. Pozos-Guillén A, Molina G, Soviero V, Arthur RA, Chavarria-Bolaños D, Acevedo M. Management of dental caries lesions in Latin American and Caribbean countries. Brazilian Oral Research [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2024 December 10]; 35(suppl 01): e037. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-2021.vol35.0055
6. Giacaman RA, Muñoz-Sandoval C, Neuhaus KW, Fontana M, Chałas R. Evidence-based strategies for the minimally invasive treatment of carious lesions: review of the literature. Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2024 December 11]; 27(7):1009–1016. Available from: https://doi.org/10.17219/acem/77022
7. Alyahya Y. A narrative review of minimally invasive techniques in restorative dentistry. The Saudi Dental Journal [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 December 11];36(2):228–233. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sdentj.2023.11.005
8. Fatima N, Mustilwar R, Paul R, Chauhan PS, Mostafa D, Dhopte A. Minimal invasive dentistry. International Journey of Health Sciences [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 December 11]; 6(S1): 13062–13077. Available from: https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v6nS1.8280
9. Widbiller M, Weiler R, Knüttel H, Galler KM, Buchalla W, Scholz KJ. Biology of selective caries removal: a systematic scoping review protocol. BMJ Open [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 December 11]; 12(2): e061119. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061119
10. Sodvadia, U. B. Current concepts on caries removal. IntechOpen [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 December 12]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.113122
11. Lim ZE, Duncan HF, Moorthy A, McReynolds D. Minimally invasive selective caries removal: a clinical guide. British Dental Journey [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 December 14]; 234(4):233–240. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-5515-4
12. Nakrathok P, Kijsamanmith K, Vongsavan K, Rirattanapong P, Vongsavan N. The effect of selective carious tissue removal and cavity treatments on the residual intratubular bacteria in coronal dentine. Journal of Dental Sciences [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2024 December 14];15(4):411–418. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jds.2020.03.016
13. Figueroa Ortiz BB, Matute Heredia IM, Vizhñay Remache MF, Jaramillo León JM, Morales Bravo BR. Strategies for the management of carious lesions with and without removal of carious tissue. Anatomía Digital [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 December 14];7(3.3):129-151. Available from: https://doi.org/10.33262/anatomiadigital.v7i3.3.3199
14. Foxton RM. Current perspectives on dental adhesion: (2) Concepts for operatively managing carious lesions extending into dentine using bioactive and adhesive direct restorative materials. Journal Dental Science Review [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2024 December 14]; 56(1):208–215. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdsr.2020.08.003
15. González-Gil D, Flores-Fraile J, Vera-Rodríguez V, Martín-Vacas A, López-Marcos J. Comparative meta-analysis of minimally invasive and conventional approaches for caries removal in permanent dentition. Medicina [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 December 20]; 60(3): 402. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60030402
16. Jurasic MM, Gillespie S, Sorbara P, Clarkson J, Ramsay C, Nyongesa D, et al. Deep caries removal strategies: findings from The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Journal of the American Dental Association [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 December 20];153(11):1078-1088.e7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2022.08.005
17. Fernández CE, González-Cabezas C, Fontana M. Minimum intervention dentistry in the US: an update from a cariology perspective. British Dental Journal [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2024 December 20];229(7):483–486. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-2219-x
18. Showkat N, Singh G, Singla K, Sareen K, Chowdhury C, Jindal L. Minimal invasive dentistry: Literature review. Journal of Current Medical Research and Opinion [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2024 December 20];3(09): 631-636. Available from: https://doi.org/10.15520/jcmro.v3i09.340
19. Dawett B, Young S, Deery C, Banerjee A. Minimally invasive selective caries removal put into practice. Dental Update [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2024 December 20]; 47(10): 841-847. Available from: https://doi.org/10.12968/denu.2020.47.10.841
20. Schwendicke F, Splieth C, Breschi L, Banerjee A, Fontana M, Paris S, et al. When to intervene in the caries process? An expert Delphi consensus statement. Clinical Oral Investigations [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2024 December 22];23(10):3691–3703. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-019-03058-w
21. Nair MJ, Rao A, Bs S. Selective caries removal- a new improvised technique for caries management. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2024 December 22]; 15(4): 2959-2964. Available from: https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i4.17154
22. Gill K, Stevenson RG. Navigating through caries excavation and pulp capping techniques in permanent teeth. Dentistry Review [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 December 22];4(1):100078. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dentre.2024.100078
23. Jardim JJ, Alves LS, Decourt RF, De Paula LM, Mestrinho HD, Maltz M. Cost-effectiveness of selective caries removal versus stepwise excavation for deep caries lesions. Brazilian Oral Research [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 December 22];37. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-2023.vol37.0083
24. Dhar V, Pilcher L, Fontana M, González-Cabezas C, Keels MA, Mascarenhas AK, et al. Evidence-based clinical practice guideline on restorative treatments for caries lesions: A report from the American Dental Association. Journal of the American Dental Association [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 December 22]; 154(7):551-566.e51. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2023.04.011
25. Kirilova JN, Kirov D. Minimally invasive treatment of dental caries – a clinical study. Journal of Medical and Dental Practice [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 January 5]; 10(1):1618–1700. Available from: https://doi.org/10.18044/MedInform.2023101.1658
26. Verdugo-Paiva F, Zambrano-Achig P, Simancas-Racines D, Viteri-García A. Remoción selectiva comparado con remoción total para caries dentinarias profundas. Medwave [Internet]. 2020 [citado 7 enero 2025]; 20(1): e7758. Disponible en: https://www.medwave.cl/puestadia/resepis/7758.html?lang=en
27. Barros MMAF, De Queiroz Rodrigues MI, Gomez Muniz FWM, Azevedo Rodrigues LK. Selective, stepwise, or nonselective removal of carious tissue: which technique offers lower risk for the treatment of dental caries in permanent teeth? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Oral Investigations [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2025 January 7];24(2):521–532. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-019-03114-5
28. Jardim JJ, Mestrinho HD, Koppe B, de Paula LM, Alves LS, Yamaguti PM, et al. Restorations after selective caries removal: 5-Year randomized trial. Journal of Dentistry [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2025 January 10]; 99:103416. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2020.103416