stepwise excavation is a staged approach to removing tooth decay (dental caries) from a deep cavity. It is commonly used when decay is close to the dental pulp (the tooth’s nerve and blood supply). Instead of removing all decay at once, the dentist removes it in planned steps and seals the tooth between visits. The goal is to lower the chance of exposing the pulp while still treating the cavity.

selective caries removal is a conservative way to treat tooth decay by removing the most infected, soft decay while leaving some affected dentin near the nerve when the cavity is deep. It aims to keep the tooth’s pulp (the “nerve” and blood supply) protected by avoiding unnecessary removal of tooth structure. It is commonly used for deep cavities in back teeth and other situations where complete removal could risk exposing the pulp. The remaining tooth surface is then sealed with a restoration so bacteria are starved of nutrients and the lesion can become inactive.

caries excavation is the process of removing tooth decay (dental caries) from a tooth. It is commonly performed before placing a filling, crown, or other restoration. The goal is to clean out softened, infected tooth structure while keeping as much healthy tooth as possible. It is used in routine dentistry and in more conservative approaches for deep cavities.

laser fluorescence is a light-based method used to help detect tooth decay by measuring fluorescent signals from tooth structure and bacterial byproducts. A handheld dental device shines a laser onto a tooth surface and reads the reflected fluorescence. It is commonly used as an adjunct (a helpful add-on) to the visual dental exam and dental X-rays. It can also be used to track changes in a suspicious area over time.

A bitewing radiograph is a dental X-ray view that shows the crowns of the upper and lower back teeth on the same image. It is commonly used in routine dental checkups to look for tooth decay between teeth and to evaluate existing restorations. The image is taken while the patient gently bites on a small holder or tab to keep the sensor/film in place. It is typically performed in general dentistry, hygiene visits, and preventive care appointments.

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ICDAS is a standardized system dentists use to describe tooth decay (dental caries) based on what they can see on the tooth surface. It helps record early changes in enamel as well as obvious cavities in a consistent way. ICDAS is commonly used in dental clinics, dental schools, research studies, and community screening programs. It supports clearer communication between clinicians and more consistent charting over time.

CRA is a term some dental teams use to refer to a tooth-colored resin-based composite used for restorations. It is commonly associated with bonded fillings and small repairs on enamel and dentin. CRA is typically placed directly in the mouth and hardened with a curing light. Meaning and exact product selection can vary by clinician and case.

caries risk assessment is a structured way to estimate how likely someone is to develop tooth decay (dental caries) in the near future. It combines clinical findings with lifestyle and medical factors that influence decay. Dentists use it in routine checkups, new patient exams, and treatment planning. It helps match prevention and monitoring to the person, rather than using a one-size approach.

recurrent caries is tooth decay that develops at the edge of an existing dental restoration, such as a filling or crown. It is commonly discussed when a restoration seems to be failing or when new decay is suspected around it. In everyday terms, it means “a new cavity forming next to an old filling.” Clinically, it is used as a diagnosis and as a reason to monitor, repair, or replace restorations.