Drs. Haley and Goly Abivardi, the co-founders of vVARDIS, discuss the growing global prevalence of dental caries and the promise of AI and biomimetic science for transforming how clinicians address the earliest stages of tooth decay.
Q: Why is early detection of caries such a critical focus in modern dentistry?
Dr. Haley: Tooth decay remains one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide, yet it is also one of the most preventable. Detecting caries in its earliest stages, before cavitation, enables proactive intervention and often eliminates the need for traditional drilling and filling. This shift not only preserves natural tooth structure but also aligns with the broader movement towards minimally invasive dentistry. Early-stage lesions, particularly non-cavitated enamel lesions, can be difficult to detect with the naked eye or even through standard radiographic interpretation. Historically, many of these incipient lesions were either missed or monitored until progression warranted mechanical intervention. Today, however, there is a strong emphasis on identifying and treating early lesions before they become structurally compromising.
Q: What are the consequences of waiting until caries progress before treating them?
Dr. Goly: When dentists wait until lesions become cavitated, they often must resort to restorative procedures that are more invasive, costly, and carry long-term implications for the tooth. Every restoration has a finite lifespan and can lead to what’s known as the “restorative death spiral,” where repeated interventions weaken the tooth further.
Early detection, on the other hand, offers an opportunity to intervene. At the same time, the tooth is still intact and the pulp unaffected, thus preserving the patient’s natural dentition for as long as possible.
Q: How is AI changing the landscape of early caries detection?
Dr. Haley: One of the most transformative developments in dentistry today is the application of AI to diagnostic imaging, particularly radiographs. AI systems are trained to identify patterns in dental x-rays that may indicate early carious changes, often with greater consistency and sensitivity than the human eye, thus supporting the clinician’s decision-making process.
AI also reduces inter-clinician variability. Two dentists may interpret the same x-ray differently, whereas an AI-assisted system adds an objective layer that can improve both the accuracy and reproducibility of findings. It’s important to note, however, that AI does not replace clinical judgment; it augments it.
Q: How has the science behind caries treatment evolved?
Dr. Goly: We’ve seen significant advances in the understanding of caries as a dynamic, biofilm-driven process rather than a binary condition of health or disease. Dental caries are now viewed as a spectrum, from early demineralization to deep lesions requiring intervention. The emphasis has shifted from surgical repair to biological management.
On the treatment side, biomimetic technology supports the body’s natural ability to heal early carious lesions by interacting with enamel at a molecular level to repair and strengthen demineralized areas.
Q: What does minimally invasive treatment of early caries look like in practice?
Dr. Haley: In cases of early enamel demineralization, treatment may involve noninvasive therapies like dietary counseling, improved oral hygiene instruction, and topical enamel repair agents. For lesions with greater depth but without cavitation, newer techniques such as the application of biomimetic materials may arrest the lesion’s progress while preserving tooth structure.
Q: How do these trends impact patient care and trust?
Dr. Goly: Patients are increasingly wary of aggressive treatment plans. A minimally invasive, evidence-based approach builds trust and aligns with patients’ desires for less invasive care. Being able to show them early lesions on a radiograph annotated with AI or explain that a lesion can be repaired without a drill changes the nature of the conversation and the care experience.
One innovative example of a noninvasive solution for early caries treatment is Curodont (vVARDIS), which uses guided enamel repair to treat non-cavitated lesions. It is applied topically, requires no drilling or anesthesia, and leverages biomimetic science to initiate natural repair throughout the depth of the lesion. For patients, this means fewer invasive procedures and more proactive care. For clinicians, it represents an effective new tool in the preventive, non-invasive dentistry tool kit.
Q: What’s next in early caries management?
Dr. Haley: The future lies in personalized, data-driven preventive care. As the dental profession increasingly embraces preventive, minimally invasive care supported by digital technologies, the hope is to reduce the prevalence of restorative dentistry over time and shift the focus toward long-term oral wellness.
Drs. Haley and Goly Abivardi are co-CEOs and co-founders of vVARDIS, a Swiss healthcare company offering proprietary, biomimetic technology for the treatment of incipient caries under the Curodont brand. Drs. Haley and Goly Abivardi can be reached at vvardis.com.
