Minimally Invasive Dentistry in Saint Paul, MN

Minimally Invasive Dentistry in Saint Paul, MN

Conservative, biomimetic dental care that preserves your natural tooth structure.

At The Minnesota Center for Minimally Invasive Dentistry, we believe the healthiest tooth is the one you were born with. Minimally invasive dentistry is our practice’s defining philosophy: we preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible, treat dental problems before they become serious, and use modern technology to repair damage with the smallest possible intervention.

Dr. Mark Malterud has practiced minimally invasive dentistry in Saint Paul for more than 30 years. He is a founding member of the Academy of Biomimetic Dentistry, a member of the World Congress of Minimal Invasive Dentistry, and teaches other dentists across the country and internationally how to perform minimally invasive aesthetic restorations. Dr. Rachel Malterud, also at our practice, is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and shares the same conservative treatment philosophy.

If you’re searching for a minimally invasive dentist in the Twin Cities, we’d be honored to meet you. Schedule a complimentary consultation at (651) 699-2822 or contact us online.

What Is Minimally Invasive Dentistry?

Minimally invasive dentistry is a treatment philosophy that prioritizes preserving your natural tooth structure. Where traditional dentistry has historically relied on drilling away healthy tooth to access decay, a minimally invasive dentist uses early diagnosis, prevention, and modern tools to treat problems with the least possible removal of healthy tissue.

The core principles of minimally invasive dental care are straightforward:

• Detect dental problems as early as possible, when treatment can be the smallest and least invasive.
• Preserve healthy enamel, dentin, and gum tissue at every step.
• Use materials and techniques that work with your body’s natural ability to heal.
• Treat the underlying causes of dental disease, not just the symptoms.
• Avoid aggressive drilling, root canals, and extractions whenever a more conservative option exists.

For our Saint Paul patients, minimally invasive dentistry means smaller fillings, shorter appointments, less post-treatment sensitivity, and teeth that last longer over a lifetime.

Traditional Dentistry vs. Minimally Invasive Dentistry

The two approaches don’t always reach different destinations — but a minimally invasive dentist will choose the more conservative route every time both are available.

Our Minimally Invasive Procedures and Technology

We’ve invested in the diagnostic tools, materials, and training that make minimally invasive dental care possible. Here’s what that looks like in practice.

Early cavity detection

We use DEXIS CariVu, a transillumination device that finds cavities at the earliest stages — often years before they would show up on a traditional X-ray. Combined with our other advanced cavity detection tools, this lets us catch decay when treatment can still be reversible. The earlier we catch a cavity, the more conservatively we can treat it.

Cavity remineralization

Some early cavities can be reversed without any drilling at all. CURODONT Repair is a guided enamel regeneration treatment that helps your tooth rebuild itself. Combined with ozone therapy and fluoride varnish, it lets us treat the smallest cavities without removing any tooth structure.

Air abrasion and dental lasers

When a cavity does need to be removed, we use air abrasion and dental lasers in place of the traditional high-speed drill whenever possible. These tools target only diseased tissue and preserve more of the healthy tooth around it. Many small minimally invasive procedures can be performed without anesthesia.

Ozone therapy

Ozone is a powerful natural disinfectant that kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses without damaging healthy cells. We use it to disinfect cavities before placing a filling, treat early decay, and support gum health — all without antibiotics or harsh chemicals.

Mercury-free, biomimetic restorations

Our restorations use modern composite materials that bond directly to your tooth, mimicking the strength and flexibility of natural enamel and dentin. We do not place mercury amalgam fillings, and we follow safe SMART protocols when removing existing amalgam restorations. Learn more about our mercury-free fillings.

3D cone beam imaging

3D cone beam imaging gives us a complete picture of your teeth, jaws, and airway in three dimensions. This lets us plan implants, root canal alternatives, and orthodontic interventions with maximum precision and minimum guesswork.

Why Choose MCMID for Minimally Invasive Dentistry

The Minnesota Center for Minimally Invasive Dentistry was built around this philosophy. It’s not a service we add on — it’s the lens through which we approach every appointment, every diagnosis, and every treatment plan.

Recognized expertise

Dr. Mark Malterud is a founding member of the Academy of Biomimetic Dentistry, a member of the World Congress of Minimal Invasive Dentistry, and a Board Member of the Academy of General Dentistry. His articles on minimally invasive dentistry have been published in General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of General Dentistry.

Continuous education

Dr. Mark completes more than 250 hours of continuing dental education every year — five times the requirement for general dentistry. Dr. Rachel earned her fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry by completing 500+ hours of continuing education and passing a rigorous exam.

Teaching practice

Dr. Mark instructs other dentists across the country and internationally on minimally invasive aesthetic restorations. The techniques he teaches are the techniques he uses with his own patients.

Whole-body perspective

Minimally invasive dentistry is part of how we think about the oral-systemic connection — the relationship between your dental health and your overall wellbeing. We are also a Bale-Doneen Method certified provider, with deep expertise in identifying oral inflammation that can affect cardiovascular health.

Meet our doctors to learn more about Dr. Mark Malterud and Dr. Rachel Malterud.

Who Is a Candidate for Minimally Invasive Dentistry?

Almost everyone is a candidate. Minimally invasive dental care is appropriate for adults, children, and seniors, and it’s especially valuable for:

• Patients who want to avoid the drill whenever possible.
• Children, where preserving primary and developing teeth matters most.
• Patients with multiple existing fillings who want to limit additional restoration.
• Anyone with concerns about mercury amalgam fillings.
• Patients with anxiety about traditional dentistry.
• Individuals interested in biological or holistic dentistry approaches.
• Patients who have been told they need a root canal or extraction and want a second opinion focused on tooth preservation.

If you’re searching for minimally invasive dentistry near me and aren’t sure whether it’s right for your situation, schedule a complimentary consultation. We’ll give you a clear picture of your options.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your first appointment at MCMID is unhurried. We sit down, hear your concerns, and walk you through what minimally invasive dentistry would look like for your specific situation. A typical first visit includes:

1. A comprehensive conversation about your goals, concerns, and any past dental experiences.
2. Digital imaging and DEXIS CariVu cavity screening.
3. A periodontal evaluation, including biofilm assessment.
4. An oral cancer screening.
5. A discussion of your treatment options, with the most conservative approach presented first.
6. A written, no-pressure treatment plan.

We do not push treatment. If your teeth are healthy and a watch-and-monitor approach is appropriate, that’s what we recommend. The goal of minimally invasive dental care is to do as little as possible — and to do it as well as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is minimally invasive dentistry?

Minimally invasive dentistry is a treatment philosophy that focuses on preserving as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. It uses early detection, prevention, and modern tools — like air abrasion, dental lasers, and ozone therapy — to treat dental problems with the smallest possible intervention.

How is minimally invasive dentistry different from traditional dentistry?

Traditional dentistry has historically removed healthy tooth structure to access decay or place restorations. Minimally invasive dentistry prioritizes early diagnosis, remineralization of early cavities, smaller restorations, and biomimetic materials that bond directly to the tooth. The end result is a healthier tooth that lasts longer.

Is minimally invasive dentistry the same as biological or holistic dentistry?

They overlap significantly but are not identical. Biological and holistic dentistry consider how dental treatments affect your whole-body health (the oral-systemic connection). Minimally invasive dentistry focuses specifically on preserving natural tooth structure during treatment. Most biological dentists practice minimally invasive techniques, and we do both at MCMID.

What is biomimetic dentistry?

Biomimetic dentistry is a closely related approach that uses materials and techniques designed to mimic the strength, flexibility, and behavior of natural tooth structure. Biomimetic restorations bond directly to the tooth and distribute chewing forces the way enamel and dentin naturally do. Dr. Mark Malterud is a founding member of the Academy of Biomimetic Dentistry.

Does insurance cover minimally invasive dentistry?

Most minimally invasive procedures are covered by dental insurance the same way their traditional counterparts are. A composite filling, for example, is billed as a filling regardless of whether it was placed using a high-speed drill or air abrasion. Some advanced services — like ozone therapy or CURODONT Repair — may be considered elective. We’ll always provide a clear cost estimate before any treatment begins.

Is minimally invasive dentistry painful?

Generally, no. Because minimally invasive techniques remove less tooth structure and rely on gentler tools like air abrasion and lasers, most patients experience less discomfort during and after treatment than they would with traditional dentistry. Many small procedures can be performed without anesthesia.

Can a root canal be avoided with minimally invasive dentistry?

Sometimes, yes. If decay is caught early enough, biomimetic restorations and pulp-preserving techniques can keep a tooth alive that would have required a root canal a generation ago. We always evaluate whether tooth preservation is realistic before recommending a root canal or extraction.

Schedule Your Minimally Invasive Dentistry Consultation

If you’re looking for a minimally invasive dentist in the Twin Cities, we’d love to meet you. Dr. Mark Malterud and Dr. Rachel Malterud see patients from Saint Paul, Minneapolis, Highland Park, and the surrounding Minnesota communities — and from across the country for specialized minimally invasive treatments.

Your initial smile consultation is complimentary.