In the control of occlusal caries, the major challenges are related not only to the detection of non-cavitary lesions, but also to the establishment of the treatment strategies to be subsequently applied. Considering the objective of each treatment, that of helping the patient, it is essential to control the progression of carious lesions by means of nonsurgical, preventive/therapeutical methods, whenever necessary. The new strategies applied in caries management are based on the evaluation and predictibility of possible risks, a major aspect in the daily taking of therapeutical decisions. The management plan should include: (I) patient’s level of risk, (II) patient’s activity level and (III) severity of the lesion. Various strategies for a most efficient management of patient’s problems, as well as of the carious lesions, have been elaborated by specialized medical organisms, such as: strategies established within ICDAS, CAMBRA, strategies of the caries management system (SMC) and protocols indicated by the system of caries classification according to ADA (American Dental Association). The mission of any new model of caries management is first of all to preserve the dental tissues, and to restore them when only recommended – an idea to guide the decisions of practitioners, starting with the moment of anamnesis, clinical examination and estabishment of diagnosis, until the end of the treatment.
Keywords:- clinical management
- occlusal caries
- therapeutical strategies.