Last January, I began offering a new treatment to patients exhibiting early carious lesions. When x-rays revealed incipient caries on any surface, including proximal, I have been recommending an application of Curodont Repair Fluoride Plus from vVARDIS, which is a noninvasive, pain-free treatment to remineralize the enamel.
The product has been popular with patients, a large majority of whom have enthusiastically accepted treatment upon learning about the opportunity to address a noncavitated lesion before it can worsen and possibly lead to invasive restorative treatment. In recent months, as these patients have been returning for recare appointments, we’ve been finding that the therapy has been effective in remineralizing incipient caries.
Case in Point
Radiographs taken on a 26-year-old male patient revealed a demineralized area on tooth No. 5. The decay was initially observed at an early stage in an x-ray in 2022, but had progressed by the time he returned in March 2023 following a period of active military service when he was not flossing regularly.
The patient was informed about a noninvasive treatment that was developed to remineralize his tooth, and it was agreed that we would apply Curodont Repair Fluoride Plus.
A key to this workflow is to complete any other planned treatment before beginning the Curodont procedure. For example, had I also been replacing this patient’s amalgam filling in the mesial of No. 4, I would complete that restoration before applying Curodont Repair Fluoride Plus to No. 5, because it is essential that the treatment area remain undisturbed for 5 minutes after application.
Our hygienist cleaned the tooth with pumice, rinsed, etched the surface of the lesion with 37% phosphoric acid for 20 seconds, rinsed and dried the surface, and then applied Curodont Repair Fluoride Plus with the provided applicator sponge as per instructions, pressing it on the lesion and squeezing out all of the liquid. It is essential to use the enclosed sponge with the product. We then keep the tooth isolated and saliva-free for 5 minutes.
The patient, who is on a periodontal maintenance program, returned 4 months later and an x-ray showed a dramatic change with the lesion. My immediate reaction was, “Wow, it changed that much that quickly?” In line with the product’s claims, it remineralizes deeply into the enamel. The patient was also pleased to learn of the improved health of his tooth.
Patients Say ‘Yes’ to Drill-Free Treatment
Throughout this year, I’ve been pleased to see how many patients have accepted this treatment, even when they’ve had to pay out of pocket. That’s because they like the idea of not having to be drilled on for a restoration.
For the practice, there is a clear ROI to this treatment, not only because of patients’ enthusiasm to move forward, but also because I can delegate it entirely to a team member. It does not require the doctor’s time.
I have a lot of patients who love to drink soda, so it’s a constant battle to educate, preserve, and restore their oral health. I’m excited about new materials that allow me to treat my patients without invasive procedures. Just as it’s exciting to use bioceramic materials on a vital, exposed pulp and avoid root canal therapy, I’m thrilled to use remineralizing materials that diffuse into the enamel so that, in all probability, I won’t have to cut into a tooth. My dream is that future dentists will be able to rebuild a tooth without having to perform surgical procedures on teeth with redeemable early lesions.
