Dental fluorosis changes the colour and/or structure of enamel, leading to an unaesthetic appearance. One of the main goals in the treatment is aesthetic improvement of the affected teeth. Two clinical cases of patients with white spot fluorosis lesions on frontal teeth are presented. All treated teeth are infiltrated with low-viscous light-curing resin (ICON, DMG). A significant improvement in the aesthetic appearance of all the treated tooth surfaces is visible immediately after resin infiltration, and in most of the teeth - a complete disappearance of the white spots. Resin infiltration is an alternative micro-invasive approach for treatment of white spot lesions of different origin. It allows a quick and natural recovery of the affected teeth.

Introduction: Initial proximal caries is both diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The disadvantages of the conventional methods for caries detection and the development of technologies led to the creation of contemporary optical devices for early caries detection. Aim: In vitro comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of several methods for early proximal caries detection – visual-tactile, bitewing radiography and laser fluorescence device (DIAGNOdent pen). Materials and methods: Fifty-eight proximal surfaces of extracted human permanent premolars and molars were examined by two examiners using visual inspection, bitewing radiography, DIAGNOdent with proximal contact, and DIAGNOdent directly in the lesion. Results were compared with the histological gold standard. Statistical analysis with ROC curve, sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of each detection method was performed. Analysis was conducted in 3 diagnostic thresholds – initial, developed and advanced demineralization. Results: Sensitivity of visual inspection was 16%–33%, specificity 93.3%–100%, sensitivity of bitewing radiography 54%–67%, speci­ficity 93%–94%, sensitivity of DIAGNOdent with proximal surfaces in contact 88%–91%, specificity 79%–89%, sensitivity of DIAG­NOdent directly 89%–92.5%, specificity 81.29%–93%. The highest diagnostic accuracy, increasing with the rise of the level of demin­eralization, was shown by DIAGNOdent directly, followed by DIAGNOdent with proximal contact, bitewing radiography, and visual inspection with the lowest accuracy. Conclusion: The use of contemporary diagnostic devices significantly increases the possibility for early detection of proximal lesions. DIAGNOdent can be used as an adjunct to and increasing the diagnostic accuracy of the conventional caries detection methods.

Introduction: Glass ionomer cements have many advantages as restorative materials: adhesion to the tooth structure, fluoride releasing capacity, biocompatibility. However, their mechanical properties are not as desirable as they should be for the conventional glass ionomers, questioning their use as a restorative material. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the compressive strength of two encapsulated commercial glass ionomer cements – a conventional glass ionomer (Riva Self Cure) and a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Riva Light Cure). Materials and methods: Six conventional and six resin-modified glass ionomer cement specimens were prepared and kept in 10ml of deionised water at 37°C for 24 hours and 28 days. The specimens (after 24 hours and 28 days) were loaded in an Instron mechanical testing machine in compression until failure. A crosshead speed of 1mm/min and load cell of 30kN was used to conduct the compressive strength test. Results: Resin-modified glass ionomer cement showed greater compressive strength values after 24 hours and 28 days than conventional glass ionomers. The compressive strength of both cements increased from 24 hours to 28 days, with conventional glass ionomers showing a greater change over the time period. Conclusion: Resin-modified glass ionomer cements have greater compressive strength properties than conventional glass ionomers. This suggests that the cross-linked polymer matrices have higher strengths than gel network formed by acid-base reactions in conventional glass ionomers.

Proximal caries presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Recent understanding of the etiology and pathology of dental caries has led to the adoption of non-invasive and/or minimally invasive approaches in the early stages of caries lesions. This clinical study aimed to compare the efficacy of resin infiltration and remineralization in the treatment of initial proximal caries lesions over a 1- and 2-year follow-up period. The study involved 47 patients aged between 18 and 38 years. Patients were clinically examined and underwent bitewing radiography to detect at least three initial proximal caries lesions. Each detected lesion (180 in total) was randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: (1) resin infiltration with Icon Proximal Infiltrant (DMG); (2) remineralization with Clinpro White Varnish (3M); and (3) a control group receiving no treatment. One year after treatment, caries progression was found in 30 lesions (16.6%) with the following distribution across the three treatment groups: 2/60 (3%) in the infiltration group; 11/60 (18%) in the remineralization group; 17/60 (28.30%) in the no treatment control group with a significant statistical difference between the groups (p = 0.001). In terms of lesion depth, 12 (11%) out of 106 E2 lesions progressed and 18 out of 74 (24%) D1 lesions progressed, with a significant difference (p = 0.037). Two years after treatment, five new lesions were found to have progressed (one E2 and four D1), distributed as follows: 0% in the infiltration group, 3.6% in the remineralization group, and 5% in the control group. In conclusion, resin infiltration exhibited the lowest percentage of progressed lesions and could be considered a reliable, non-invasive treatment for initial proximal caries.

The management of dental caries has evolved from the traditional mechanical approach of “extension for prevention” to a biologically oriented philosophy centered on preserving natural tooth structures. Minimally invasive dentistry (MID) emphasizes early detection, risk assessment, prevention, and conservative intervention based on the lesion’s activity and depth. This review outlines current evidence on non-operative, micro-invasive, and minimally invasive strategies, including fluoride therapy, remineralizing agents such as casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), self-assembling peptides that promote biomimetic enamel repair, sealants, and resin infiltration. Minimally invasive operative methods employ advanced technologies for selective tissue removal—chemomechanical systems (Carisolv, Papacarie, Brix3000), sono-and airabrasion, and new-generation polymeric and ceramic burs (SmartBur, Cerabur) designed to preserve sound dentin. Laser photoablation, particularly with erbium lasers (Er:YAG, Er,Cr:YSGG), enables precise cavity preparation with minimal thermal and mechanical stress. These approaches enhance patient comfort, reduce anesthesia requirements, and maintain tooth vitality. Despite limitations related to cost, equipment, and operator sensitivity, MID represents not only a set of refined clinical techniques but also a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment philosophy founded on biological principles, structural preservation, and the promotion of long-term oral health.

Background: Aging is associated with progressive structural and functional changes in dentin, reducing its mechanical integrity and increasing vulnerability to damage. Among the most important regulators of dentin physiology are extracellular matrix proteins from the SIBLING family, including Dentin Matrix Protein 1 (DMP-1), Dentin Sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), and Osteopontin (OPN). These proteins are essential for dentin mineralization, collagen organization, and tissue remodeling. Despite their critical role, knowledge about their age-related distribution and correlation with dentin structure and morphology remains limited. Aim: To examine age-dependent changes in the expression of SIBLING proteins (DMP-1, DSPP, OPN) in human dentin and to evaluate their relationship with collagen structure and ultramorphology using polarized light microscopy (PLM), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Materials and Methods: Ninety extracted human teeth were categorized into young (≤17 years), mature (18–50 years), and old (>51 years) groups. IHC was applied to detect protein distribution, PLM to assess collagen organization, and SEM to evaluate dentinal morphology. Results and Conclusions: Aging was associated with increased expression of DMP-1 and OPN and a reduction in DSPP, which is particularly evident in peritubular dentin. Older samples showed collagen disorganization, reduced birefringence, and extensive intratubular mineralization. These findings suggest that age-related alterations in SIBLING proteins contribute to structural changes in dentin, providing new insights relevant to dental care in elderly patients.