National Institute of Dental Research surveys indicate that the incidence of pit and fissure caries constitutes a higher proportion of the total caries incidence among U.S. teens and children than in the past. Air-abrasive technology may provide a more conservative alternative in the diagnosis and treatment of pit and fissure caries than traditional techniques using handpieces. The authors review characteristics of pit and fissure lesions and discuss methods for diagnosing and treating these lesions using air-abrasive technology.

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