Academic literature on the topic 'LESIONES INCIPIENTES DE CARIES'

From the previous chapter it can be seen that in all cases of caries and tooth wear, minimum intervention disease control and lesion prevention are key aspects of the management strategy, often commencing in the stabilization phase of the care plan, but continuing throughout the full course of treatment and beyond in order to maintain lifelong oral health. Neither the dentist, as part of the oral healthcare team, nor the patient has the power to prevent the caries or tooth-wear process. These ubiquitous processes occur at the ionic, metabolic, and microscopic level at the tooth surface/biofilm interface, and are made pathological by other factors in combination. If these factors are controlled or modified by the patient (with help from the oral healthcare team), then the processes can be regulated. The term primary prevention is sometimes used in this context. The term prevention has been commonly used, but actually it is only the manifestation of the pathological process (i.e. the lesion in caries or tooth wear) that can be prevented if the disease process is controlled. The term secondary prevention has been used in this context to slow down or stop (arrest) incipient, progressing lesions. Tertiary prevention is a term sometimes used to describe the care offered to the patient in an attempt to control or reduce the pattern of future disease. On the basis of the history and examination, the patient may be allocated to one of the following in terms of caries activity/risk status:… • Caries inactive/caries controlled/low risk: no active lesions and no history of recurrent active restorations in the past 2 to 3 years. A level of control (maintenance) is still required to remain in this stable condition. • Caries active/modifiable risk factors/moderate risk (plaque control, fluoride, diet): presence of active lesions and a yearly increment of more than two new/progressing/filled lesions in the preceding 2 to 3 years. Caries control may be achieved by changing/ modifying risk factors. • Caries active/unmodifiable or unidentifiable risk factors/ high risk (dry mouth, medications): this category will always be high risk, although it may still be possible to control caries by optimal moderation of such risk factors. Presence of active lesions and a yearly increment of more than two new/progressing/filled lesions in the preceding 2 years.