Tooth decay can be stopped and reversed via 'no drill' dentistry, Australian research reveals

Tooth decay isn't as progressive as previously believed and Australian researchers found that it can be stopped, prevented or reversed without using dental drills.

It takes up to four to eight years for cavities to affect the tooth and it can be stopped with "no drill" dentistry. The approach involves the combination of healthy eating, regular teeth brushing and the application of high-fluoride varnish. The seven-year study published in journal Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology found that it stopped the need for the traditional "drill and fill" by up to 50 percent, according to Daily Mail.

The study lead by Associate Professor Wendell Evans of the University of Sydney says that fillings are not required in most cases of dental tooth decay. The traditional approach needs to be changed as prevention has more benefits.

"This research signals the need for a major shift in the way tooth decay is managed by dentists—dental practice in Australia needs to change. Our study shows that a preventative approach has major benefits compared to current practice," Professor Evans said via EurekAlert. "For a long time it was believed that tooth decay was a rapidly progressive phenomenon and the best way to manage it was to identify early decay and remove it immediately in order to prevent a tooth surface from breaking up into cavities. After removing the decay, the affected tooth is then restored with a filling material—this process is sometimes referred to as 'drilling and filling'.

"That is plenty of time for the decay to be detected and treated before it becomes a cavity and requires a filling."

He adds that the drill will only be applied to patients if the cavity has made an actual hole in the teeth.

Professor Evans and his colleagues developed the Carries Management System (CMS) to help assess and determine the level of tooth decay and to outline the actions to be taken for treatment.

The CMS treatment has four steps, [taken from Medical Xpress]:

1. Application of high concentration fluoride varnish by dentists to the sites of early decay

2. Attention to home tooth brushing skills

3. Restriction of between-meal snacks and beverages containing added sugar

4. Risk-specific monitoring.

When the CMS approach was used for testing, the Monitor Practice Program (MPP), found that it reduced tooth decay risk among patients and fillings were reduced substantially 50 percent compared to the control group.