Clinical efficacy of caries infiltration technique: systematic search of the literature

Aim: The aim of this paper is to review the available literature explaining the scientific basis and the principles of the resin infiltration concept. Materials and Method: A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, EBSCO and Google Scholar database. Key words used for conducting search were “Resin” and “caries infiltration technique”. Retrieved titles and abstracts were screened for relevancy and suitability. As many full text of selected articles were retrieved as possible. These full text articles were reviewed thoroughly. Result Resin-infiltration technique is based on the penetration of low-viscosity light-curing resins, so called infiltrants, into the pores on demineralised enamel surfaces to treat initial carious and white spot lesion. That way, diffusion pathways for cariogenic acids are occluded, resulting in a reduction or even arrest of lesion progression with extended novel indication for fluorosis and traumatic hypo-mineralized lesions. Conclusion: Based on available laboratory and clinical studies, it seems convincing that resin infiltration of enamel lesions could reduce (or even stop) the progress of white spot lesions and close the therapeutic gap between noninvasive and invasive treatment options that significantly postpone the first invasive intervention.