Selective excavation and ozone therapy: new frontier of mini-invasive caries treatment in MIH paediatric patients. A case report.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The term hypomineralisation of molars and incisors (MIH), introduced in 2001 by Weerheijm et al., describes a clinical state of hypomineralisation of permanent molars with frequent involvement of the incisors. MIH is considered a global dental problem with a prevalence ranging from 2.4% to 40.2% in the entire world paediatric population. The continuous increase in the prevalence of enamel anomalies, including MIH, indicates the need to define new intervention protocols based on the technological advances that are revolutionising paediatric dentistry. The use of ozone associated with the selective and minimally invasive excavation of the dental tissue combines the antibacterial properties of the gas with an ultra-conservative approach aimed at the maximum conservation of the dental tissue. The operative protocol described can be an important tool in the prevention and treatment of MIH. The aim of this work is to illustrate an operative clinical protocol based on the combined use of selective excavation and ozone for the treatment of carious lesions in paediatric patients with MIH.