Implementation of Minimal Intervention Dentistry (MID) Principles in the Geriatric Population: A Risk-Based Approach to Maintaining Dentognathic Function
Keywords:
Minimal Intervention Dentistry, Geriatric Dentistry, Caries Risk Assessment, Dentognathic Function, RemineralizationAbstract
The growing global geriatric population presents complex oral health challenges that require conservative yet effective management strategies. Minimal Intervention Dentistry (MID) provides a risk-based framework emphasizing early detection, remineralization, and tissue-preserving restorative techniques to manage caries and maintain dentognathic function in elderly patients. This study systematically reviewed literature published between 2010 and 2024 from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar focusing on patients aged ≥60 years receiving MID-related interventions. Evidence supports the adaptation of validated caries risk assessment tools such as CARIOGRAM and CAT for geriatric populations. Preventive agents including fluoride varnish, silver diamine fluoride (SDF), and casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) demonstrate significant remineralization benefits. Minimally invasive approaches, particularly Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) and glass ionomer cement restorations, show favorable clinical longevity while preserving tooth structure. Overall, MID effectively maintains mastication, occlusal stability, and overall dentognathic function, especially among medically compromised elderly individuals. Integration of risk-based MID protocols into standard geriatric dental care is strongly recommended.
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