“Minimally invasive restoration” is a popular phrase within the dental community. But what do we actually know – based on evidence – about these types of treatments, and what should clinicians keep in mind? These questions were addressed from multiple perspectives and disciplines at the world’s first prosthodontic Consensus Conference on Minimally Invasive Restorations, which took place in Madrid in mid-November 2024. The outcomes mark a milestone toward better dentistry. A good reason for Prof. Dr. Florian Beuer, president of the initiating expert network PROgress in Science and Education with Ceramics (PROSEC), to personally present the results at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Association for Dental Technology (ADT) at the end of June 2025.
Expertise Against AI Bias
According to the topic of the conference, “Dentistry and Dental Technology Between Tradition and Algorithms,” Beuer sees the consensus conference in retrospect as a major enrichment to the field. “Today, AI software can already conduct meta-analyses quite well. AI identifies frequently cited sources within a field, and these are disproportionately found in meta-analyses. The danger is that more and more meta-analyses are being produced without any new underlying data.” Beuer explained that this leads to a constant repetition of the same data, creating the illusion of new findings, when in fact, there is nothing new. This is exactly why he considers human expertise essential for knowledge generation, as it helps to balance out bias caused by artificial intelligence. Alongside PROSEC, the Spanish Society of Prosthodontics and Esthetic Dentistry (SEPES) and the Swiss Society for Reconstructive Dentistry (SSRD) also sent a total of around 60 experts to pool their collective knowledge.
Consensus Conference as a Knowledge Booster
According to Beuer, this is where the consensus conference plays a crucial role: “A great amount of knowledge is not written down and therefore inaccessible. That’s why experts from around the world came together in Madrid to complement scientific data with their expert insights. It’s important that the experience and expertise of professionals are integrated into knowledge generation.” Beuer further reported that, based on comprehensive reviews, three working groups discussed, analyzed, and distilled six key topic areas related to minimally invasive restorations. On this foundation, evidence-based clinical recommendations and new research questions were developed, culminating in a consensus statement adopted jointly by all participating experts.
17 Papers in PROSEC Special Edition
To make the knowledge generated in Madrid available to the dental community, a PROSEC Special Edition featuring 17 scientific papers was published in the renowned Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry. The topics related to minimally and non-invasive restorations range from posterior restorations, esthetic approaches in the anterior region and adaptation phases in vertical dimension increase, to preparation techniques and the precision of intraoral scanners. One key insight Beuer took from the conference: “In the past, we were heavily focused on how long a restoration would last. But we paid relatively little attention to the condition of the tooth underneath.”
A New Focus on the Tooth
According to Beuer the focus should shift to the long-term survival of the tooth itself. The history of the tooth should play a larger role in studies. The tooth, the restoration, and the opposing tooth must be seen as a unit. The best material is useless if it damages the antagonist. Beuer emphasized that the priority should be on repairability and longevity of existing restorations. The least invasive option should always be chosen. His guiding principle: “How would I want to be treated if I were the patient?” To conclude, the PROSEC President inspired the audience with a quote from martial artist Bruce Lee, encouraging the community not just to learn – but to act: “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do!”
Part 1 – Presentation Prof. Dr. Florian Beuer
Part 2 – Presentation Prof. Dr. Florian Beuer
Source ‘ADT e. V. 2025’