In the past dental caries was thought to be a constant and continuous degradation of the tooth structure.  The lesion is episodic in its progression depending upon diet, bacteria and host factors.  It begins with the incipient carious lesion or white-spot.

The surface of enamel is dynamic and in a constant state of flux depending on the microbial and chemical consistency of saliva and plaque.   Changes in these environments (saliva and plaque) can either have a detrimental or beneficial affect on the enamel surface.  The detrimental affect can be identified as the early, reversible event in dental caries, the white spot lesion.  Using magnification and a dried, adequately lighted enamel surface, the clinician is able to observe the variety of changes that may occur in this lesion.  The early observation and clinical evaluation of incipient lesions on the tooth surface provide the dentist with important information about the state or the disease process (active or inactive).  The opportunity to observe and monitor white spot lesions affords the dentist the ability to treat this lesion by a non-invasive method and reverse and even heal this area.