The Conservative Dentistry Library
A six-part series on the philosophy and practice of doing the least amount of dentistry necessary, for the longest possible benefit to your child.
- 01
Not Every Cavity Needs a Drill — Here's Why
How modern dentistry has evolved beyond the "see it, drill it" approach — and what that means for your child's teeth.
- 02
The Restorative Death Spiral — What Happens When We Drill Too Early
A small filling at age 10 can set a tooth on a path that leads, decades later, to extraction. Here's the sequence no one explains to parents.
- 03
What Is Silver Diamine Fluoride — and Is the Black Stain Worth It?
An honest look at SDF: how it works, when we use it, and the permanent cosmetic trade-off families need to understand before agreeing.
- 04
Sealants — Prevention That Actually Works
Sealants are one of the most evidence-backed preventive tools in dentistry. And yet they're still underused. Here's why we prioritize them.
- 05
Monitoring Isn't Doing Nothing — Here's What We're Actually Watching For
When we say we're going to "keep an eye on" a spot, we mean something specific. Here's what active monitoring looks like — and how it protects your child.
- 06
When We Do Recommend a Filling — and Why That Decision Is Never Taken Lightly
A conservative approach to dentistry doesn't mean avoiding restorations. It means earning them. Here's the framework behind the times we do recommend operative care.
