19. Application of the caries-infiltration technique, as a microinvasive method

Question 1

1. What is the aim of caries-infiltration technique?

Answer 1

to stop the enamel caries lesion and early stages of dentin caries, without removal of hard tissues

Question 2

2. What are principles of caries-infiltration technique?

Answer 2

‣ Based on the penetration of a methacrylate-based, low viscosity material (infiltrant) into the body of a carious lesion

‣ after light-curing, the infiltrant closes the micropores of the lesion and forms a barrier which prevents bacteria and substrates to diffuse into the lesion
=> carious process will be stopped

Question 3

3. Steps of caries-infiltration technique
   a/ What are the 3 main steps of caries-infiltration technique?

Answer 3

1. Preparation
2. Etching the surface
3. Application of the infiltrant

Question 4

3. Steps of caries-infiltration technique
   b/ What should we do during preparation step of caries-infiltration technique?

Answer 4

• Tooth cleaning with dental floss and polishing paste
• absolute isolation with dental dam
• inspection of the lesion: is there a cavitation?
• separation of the teeth with a special wedge (ICON, DMG, HAMBURG)

Question 5

3. Steps of caries-infiltration technique
   c/ What should we do during ETCHING THE SURFACE step of caries-infiltration technique?

Answer 5

• Use of a special ceulloid matrix with the etchant syringe
• Application of the 10% Hydrochloric acid for 2 mins
• Rinsing off the acid with air-water syringe, then drying the surface
• Application of ethanol
• Thorough drying

Question 6

3. Steps of caries-infiltration technique
   d/ What should we do during APPLICATION OF THE INFILTRANT step of caries-infiltration technique?

Answer 6

• Use of a new celluloid matrix with the infiltrant syringe (Icon Infiltrant)
• Step 1: infiltration for 3 min
  ‣ Aim: removal of the surplus material with dental floss and air syringe
  ‣ Light polymerization for 40s
• Step 2: Infiltration for 1 min
  ‣ Removal of the surplus material with dental floss and air syringe
  ‣ Light polymerization for 40s
  ‣ Removal of the surplus material with scaler and finishing strips
  ‣ Documentation

Question 7

4. What are the 4 contraindications of caries-infiltration technique?

Answer 7

• Deep caries
• inactive caries lesion
• root caries (dentin)
• erosions

Question 8

5. What are the 6 restrictions of caries-infiltration technique?

Answer 8

• Carious lesions in pits and fissures
• Molar-Incisor-Hypomineralization syndrome
• amelogenesis imperfecta
• fluorosis
• enamel development defects
• traumatic enamel lesions