What is the minimum treatment for interproximal incipient caries (cavitated or non-cavitated) in a patient with good oral hygiene?

Correct answer: C. Fluoride varnish application

• A. SDF (silver diamine fluoride) is highly effective for arresting active caries in high-risk patients and pediatric patients, but it causes black staining of the tooth — it is not typically the first choice for interproximal incipient lesions in adults with good oral hygiene.
• B. Extraction is not appropriate for treatable early caries.
• C. Correct. For incipient (early-stage, non-cavitated) interproximal caries in a patient with good oral hygiene, fluoride varnish (along with remineralization strategies) is the first-line non-invasive treatment. The goal is remineralization before cavitation occurs.
• D. Immediate restoration is indicated for cavitated lesions, not incipient non-cavitated caries.