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Options for management of carious permanent teeth

Management options for carious permanent teeth when there are no clinical or radiographic signs of pulpal involvement

In a child with no medical complications, for each type of lesion when there are no clinical or radiographic signs of pulpal involvement, the preferred treatment option(s) are indicated √. Alternative options that may be appropriate in certain circumstances are indicated (√). See Dental techniques for further details on each caries treatment technique. For a description of each lesion type, see Lesion classification.

An accessible version is available and the table is also included in the downloadable Guidance in Brief.

a Dependent on the extent of cavitation/lesion and the likelihood of re-attending for active surveillance. May be appropriate in some circumstances, although evidence is very low certainty and derived from occlusal surfaces.

Accessible version

To use this version, click on the chosen lesion or tooth to show the preferred and alternative treatment options.

Preferred treatment options:

No caries removal and seal with sealant (or infiltration)a

or

Selective caries removal and restoration 

Alternative treatment option:

Complete caries removal and restoration


a Dependent on the extent of cavitation/lesion and the likelihood of re-attending for active surveillance. May be appropriate in some circumstances, although evidence is very low certainty and derived from occlusal surfaces.

Preferred treatment option:

Selective caries removal and restoration 

Preferred treatment options:

No caries removal and seal with sealant (or infiltration)a

or

Selective caries removal and restoration 

Alternative treatment option:

Complete caries removal and restoration


a Dependent on the extent of cavitation/lesion and the likelihood of re-attending for active surveillance. May be appropriate in some circumstances, although evidence is very low certainty and derived from occlusal surfaces.

Preferred treatment option:

Selective caries removal and restoration 

Preferred treatment option:

Site-specific prevention

Alternative treatment option:

No caries removal and seal with sealant (or infiltration)

Preferred treatment option:

Selective caries removal and restoration 

Alternative treatment option:

Complete caries removal and restoration

Preferred treatment option:

Extraction