MacLean – Less is More: Minimally Invasive Treatment Options for Enamel Caries and Defects-MacLean Less is More Minimally Invasive Treatment Options for Enamel Caries and Defects

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The session opens with conference announcements, including plans for next year’s meeting in San Francisco, and an introduction of sponsor Elevate Oral Care. Pediatric dentist Dr. Jeanette McLean is introduced as an expert and advocate for minimally invasive dentistry. She describes her private practice background, the importance of lifelong learning, and how modern dentistry faces more questioning, internet-informed parents.<br /><br />McLean’s talk focuses on managing enamel discolorations and early caries with minimally invasive options, especially for children and teens. She reviews causes of white or discolored enamel—trauma, infection, molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH), fluorosis, and post-orthodontic white spot lesions—and stresses the social impact of visible defects. Treatment selection depends on age, eruption stage, behavior, orthodontic timing, and realistic expectations.<br /><br />She compares approaches including etch + MI Paste (remineralization but requires multiple visits and compliance), resin infiltration with ICON (usually one visit, strong cosmetic improvement, but costly and technique-sensitive), and “etch-bleach-seal” (inexpensive and effective for brown stains but less aesthetic than ICON). She provides clinical protocols, coding suggestions, and practical tips (e.g., waiting after braces or fluoride varnish, careful isolation, photographing outcomes).<br /><br />The latter portion highlights silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for arresting caries, including interproximal lesions. McLean discusses evidence, safety, common misconceptions, and the need for follow-up and behavior change. She argues that minimally invasive tools can reduce sedation needs, improve access, and support chronic disease management rather than “definitive” cures.

Keywords

minimally invasive dentistry

pediatric dentistry

enamel discoloration

white spot lesions

early caries management

resin infiltration ICON

MI Paste remineralization

etch-bleach-seal technique

molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH)

fluorosis

post-orthodontic demineralization

silver diamine fluoride (SDF)

caries arrest

interproximal caries

parent education and expectations