So, it turns out your dentist might not have needed to drill and fill your cavities after all, as newly published research from the University of Sydney reveals that the need for as much as half of tooth decay cases can be managed through non-traditional means.
As associate professor Wendell Evans and his colleagues reported in the latest edition of the journal Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, a seven year study revealed that the need for fillings was reduced by 30 to 50 percent through the use of preventative oral care—which is undoubtedly good news for those of us who dislike having power tools in our mouths.
“It’s unnecessary for patients to have fillings because they’re not required in many cases of dental decay,” Evans explained in a statement. “This research signals the need for a major shift in the way tooth decay is managed by dentists—dental practice in Australia needs to change. Our study shows that a preventative approach has major benefits compared to current practice.”
Cavities have long been believed to be “a rapidly progressive phenomenon,” he said. Dentists have long believed the best way to manage tooth decay was to identify it early and remove it as soon as possible to prevent cavities from forming, then using a special filling material to restore damaged teeth—an approach known as the “drill and fill” method.
Early tests on high-risk patients proved successful
However, over the past five decades, Evans said that research has shown that tooth decay “is not always progressive and develops more slowly than was previously believed.” For instance, tooth decay takes an average of four to eight years to progress from the outer layer to the inner one.
This provides plenty of time for tooth decay to be detected and treated before becoming cavities (also known as dental caries), the study authors explained. Thus, they have developed a series of protocols, or the Caries Management System (CMS), that assess decay risk, help dentists interpret a patient’s X-rays, and provide new ways to treat decay during its early, pre-cavity stages.
The CMS “no-drill” treatment plan centers on four main activities: applying high concentration fluoride varnish to areas of early decay, helping patients improve their at-home brushing skills, limiting between-meal snacks and sugary beverages, and risk-specific monitoring programs.
“The CMS was first tested on high risk patients at Westmead Hospital with great success… [and] it showed that early decay could be stopped and reversed and that the need for drilling and filling was reduced dramatically,” explained Evans. He added that the “reduced decay risk and reduced need for fillings” was “understandably welcomed by patients.”
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Feature Image: Thinkstock
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