MINIMALLY INVASIVE TREATMENTS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DENTAL CARIES IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Dental caries is a highly prevalent multifactorial disease in childhood, and adopting minimally invasive approaches has stood out for prioritizing the preservation of healthy tooth structure and promoting greater comfort and cooperation from pediatric patients compared to conventional restorative techniques. Objective: To analyze scientific evidence on the effectiveness of minimally invasive treatments in managing dental caries in children, emphasizing Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART), its impact on child behavior, and its applicability in public health. Materials and Methods: This is an integrative literature review conducted across SciELO, LILACS, and MEDLINE databases (via BHS and PubMed) using validated DeCS/MeSH descriptors. Original and review articles published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish between 2021 and 2026 were included. The search yielded 48 publications, of which 10 were selected following screening, eligibility, and full-text reading stages. Results: The 10 analyzed studies demonstrated that ART and the use of glass ionomer cement (GIC) show satisfactory clinical efficacy in preserving tooth structure. The absence of rotary instruments and local anesthesia significantly reduces fear, pain, and anxiety, favoring behavioral management and child treatment acceptance. Furthermore, operational simplicity and low cost grant high feasibility to these techniques within the public health context and low-resource settings. Conclusion: Minimally invasive treatments represent an effective, conservative, and humanized alternative to conventional techniques, being highly recommended for pediatric dental practice and public health actions.