Dr Mide Ojo is a principal dentist and cosmetic dentist based in Twickenham and Hampton, with a special interest in minimally invasive dentistry and experience working with high-performance athletes to support oral health and early-stage treatment approaches. 

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As clinicians, we are trained to diagnose, treat and restore. But what if we could intervene earlier, before disease fully establishes itself, and fundamentally change the trajectory of oral health for our patients? That is the focus of Dr Mide Ojo's session at this year’s British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (BDCDS), where he will be exploring how regenerative, micro-invasive approaches are beginning to reshape the way we manage early caries in everyday practice.

A growing clinical challenge 

In my own clinics in Twickenham and Hampton, I treat a broad patient base, from general patients through to high-performance athletes. Across both groups, one trend is becoming increasingly clear: we are seeing higher caries risk driven by modern lifestyle factors. 

This is particularly evident in elite athletes. Many rely on high-carbohydrate diets, energy drinks and supplements to sustain performance. While essential for their training, these habits create an oral environment that significantly increases caries risk. Combine this with inconsistent access to routine dental care or preventative education, and the result is a cohort of patients highly susceptible to early-stage disease. 

However, this is not just a challenge for athletes. The wider population – particularly younger patients – is also exposed to frequent sugar intake. As a profession, we are increasingly managing the consequences of these behaviours. 

Moving beyond ‘monitor or restore’ 

Traditionally, early lesions have presented us with a dilemma: monitor and wait, or intervene restoratively once cavitation occurs. Neither option is ideal. Waiting allows disease progression, while early restoration initiates a lifelong cycle of intervention. 

What excites me about newer technologies such as Curodont™ Repair is that they offer a third pathway, one that aligns far more closely with minimally invasive dentistry. 

Rather than waiting for breakdown, we now have the ability to intervene at an earlier stage and support the natural regenerative processes of the tooth. This represents a significant shift in how we think about caries management: not as a reactive process, but as a proactive one. 

How regeneration is changing practice 

The science behind this approach is both elegant and clinically practical. Using a biomimetic peptide, the treatment infiltrates early enamel lesions and creates a scaffold that attracts calcium and phosphate ions from saliva. This enables the tooth to regenerate from within, effectively reversing the loss of enamel minerals. 

From a clinical perspective, the benefits are clear: Treatment is non-invasive, it is quick to deliver within a standard appointment, it preserves natural tooth structure and reduces the need for future restorative intervention. Clinical studies have shown that treating early caries with a biomimetic peptide reduces the likelihood of cavities forming by over 90%.1 

Perhaps most importantly, it changes the conversation with patients. When you can show a patient an early lesion and explain that it can be reversed, rather than drilled, the response is overwhelmingly positive. Patients feel empowered, reassured and more engaged in their care. 

The role of modern diagnostics 

Of course, early intervention depends on early detection. Advances in diagnostic technology are playing a crucial role here. 

While traditional tools such as radiographs and clinical examination remain essential, we now have access to enhanced diagnostics, including AI-supported imaging and intraoral scanning. These technologies allow us to identify lesions at a much earlier stage, often before they are clinically obvious. 

Combined with good illumination and magnification, they provide a far more detailed understanding of enamel integrity and caries progression. This allows for earlier, more targeted intervention and ultimately better outcomes. 

A solution for the whole team 

One of the aspects I am particularly passionate about is how these approaches can be integrated across the wider dental team. 

As a general dentist working full-time in practice, I am always focused on solutions that are practical and scalable. What I have found is that regenerative treatments can be effectively delivered not just by dentists, but also by dental therapists and hygienists, expanding their scope of care within the practice. 

This not only improves efficiency but also supports a more collaborative, team-led approach to patient care, something that will be increasingly important as we look to the future of the profession. 

From elite sport to everyday dentistry 

While my experience with athletes has highlighted the impact of early caries in a high-risk group, the principles I will be discussing are applicable to all clinicians. 

Whether you are treating a professional footballer or a teenage patient with a high-sugar diet, the underlying challenge is the same: how do we prevent disease progression while preserving tooth structure? 

Biomimetic regenerative approaches provide a compelling answer. They allow us to intervene earlier, treat more conservatively and deliver care that aligns with both clinical best practice and patient expectations. 

Looking ahead 

At this year’s British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show, I hope to share practical insights from my own clinical experience, what works, how it integrates into daily workflows, and how clinicians can begin to adopt biomimetic peptide-based regenerative approaches within their own practices. 

By embracing early intervention and regenerative solutions, we have an opportunity to improve outcomes for our patients and redefine the future of caries management. I look forward to continuing that conversation with colleagues in Birmingham. 

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Don’t miss Dr Mide Oje’s talk on ‘Regenerative Dentistry for Elite Athletes: Managing Early Enamel Lesions Beyond Fluoride and Fillings’ on Friday, 15th May at 11.15am at the Clinical Excellence Theatre.