What is Minimally Invasive Dentistry?

Dr. Wasik firmly believes “the best dentistry is no dentistry,” that the strongest part of a tooth is its own enamel, and no matter what restorative material we use it will never be the same as your natural tooth.

So Dr. Wasik always aims to preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible. He applies this concept of minimally invasive dentistry at every step: examination and diagnosis, prevention and treatment using current technologies.

Early Cavity Detection and Treatment

Using digital x-rays and laser dental treatment (the DIAGNOdent laser), we try to intercept cavities very early in their development. If detected early enough, it’s sometimes possible to heal the cavity by modifying your diet and hygiene habits, and by using certain products to encourage healing of your own tooth material.

Early tooth decay can sometimes be treated with microdental care such as air abrasion, a gentle stream of abrasive powder propelled onto the surface of your teeth to remove decay. This doesn’t require any needles or drilling and is only used on a very limited part of your tooth, without unnecessarily damaging any healthy structure.

Restoration Options

Having a filling done once is never the end of a tooth’s treatment. Fillings have a “shelf life” and depending on many circumstances will need to be changed several times in a lifetime, weakening the tooth somewhat each time. This may eventually lead to nerve damage in the tooth, requiring root canal treatment, a dental crown, or in the worst case a tooth extraction.

To significantly decrease the need to replace your restorations, we offer either porcelain or gold inlays or onlays for restoring teeth, which are the most biocompatible and longest lasting materials. When a crown is the only practical option, we still try to offer more conservative choices that help you retain healthy enamel, such as partial bonded porcelain crowns that can be placed in one visit, or 3/4 gold crowns.

As a general dentist practicing cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Wasik also practices minimally invasive smile restoration. A truly beautiful smile can be created using porcelain veneers, which require only partial removal of enamel from the front of your teeth to be placed. Either composite artistry or a Snap-On instant smile can transform your smile without removing of any tooth structure at all.