At Little Roots, we believe in preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible. Minimally invasive dentistry uses thoughtful techniques to prevent, slow, or treat cavities while reducing the amount of tooth structure that needs to be removed whenever appropriate.
The right approach depends on your child’s age, cavity risk, comfort, and the tooth being treated. Not every technique is right for every cavity, so we’ll explain the options and help determine what makes the most sense for your child.
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)
Silver diamine fluoride is a liquid that can be applied directly to certain cavities to help stop or slow their progression. Treatment is quick and does not require drilling or numbing, making it a helpful option for some children.
An important consideration is that SDF permanently darkens the area of the tooth affected by the cavity. We’ll discuss the benefits and appearance with you before treatment.
Hall Crowns
The Hall technique uses a stainless steel crown to seal a cavity in a baby tooth without removing the cavity with a dental drill. By sealing the cavity from the environment it needs to progress, we can help protect the tooth while preserving tooth structure.
Hall crowns do not require drilling or numbing in many cases, but they are only appropriate for certain teeth and cavities. We’ll evaluate whether this approach is a good fit for your child.
SMART Technique
SMART (Silver-Modified Atraumatic Restorative Treatment) combines silver diamine fluoride with a tooth-colored restorative material. SDF is used to help stop the cavity, and a restoration is placed over the area to help protect the tooth and restore its shape and function.
For certain cavities, SMART can provide a less invasive treatment option while minimizing drilling and preserving healthy tooth structure. We’ll evaluate the tooth and your child’s individual needs to determine whether SMART is an appropriate option.
This page describes clinical care in general terms and is written for parents. It is not advice about your individual child.
