What is the primary purpose of resin infiltration?

The primary purpose of resin infiltration is to halt the progression of interproximal caries. This minimally invasive technique is used especially in the management of early carious lesions, sometimes referred to as incipient caries. Rather than restoring teeth with traditional methods that often involve drilling and filling, resin infiltration employs a low-viscosity resin to penetrate the porous structure of carious enamel. This process effectively seals the cavity, preventing moisture and bacteria from further advancing the decay.

By infiltrating the carious lesion, the resin creates a barrier that can stop the demineralization process responsible for caries progression. It's an innovative approach that emphasizes maintaining as much of the tooth structure as possible while providing a way to address early decay before it necessitates more invasive treatments like fillings or extractions.

While the other options address important aspects of dental treatments, they do not align with the primary function of resin infiltration, which is specifically geared towards managing carious lesions to prevent further damage.