Minimally Interventional Dentistry (MID) maxim is ‘functional teeth for life’. MID is based on numerous studies on cariology that were carried out since 1940, including fluorides, sugar, oral microbiota, adhesive dental materials and the repetitive restoration cycle. By the early 1990s, research had shown that the management of dental caries lesions could be better accomplished, moving away from the traditional surgical approach in favor of a ‘biological’ or ‘medical’ approach. This philosophy encompasses the following strategies that aim to keep teeth functional: (i) early detection of lesions and assessment of caries risk with validated instruments; (ii) remineralization of demineralized enamel and dentin; (iii) optimal caries prevention measures; (iv) tailored controls; (v) minimally invasive operative interventions; and (vi) repair rather than replacement of restorations. MI. The first three MID strategies should be employed throughout a person’s life, and only when maintenance of oral health has failed and a cavitated caries lesion has developed should a minimally invasive operative procedure be performed.

Glass ionomer cements (GICs) developed on the early 70s had constantly evolved improving physical properties and expanding clinical applications from the merely cementation of indirect metal restorations. Today with the development of new glass hybrids and availability of long-term clinical studies the use of the high-viscosity GICs can be broaden matching other so-called ‘permanent restorative materials’ such as composite resin. 

This presentation includes principles of contemporary cariology for the control of carious enamel lesions and dentin lesions. This is followed by a discussion of the new materials based on GICs, including the preventive, therapeutic, and restorative components, and the results of their use in oral health care. The presentation concludes with a comparison of the principles that guide the application of the preventive and restorative components within MID.