ATRAUMATIC RESTORATIVE TREATMENT –A REVIEW

Abstract

ABASTRACT: Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) was origina lly developed in field settings in African subcontinent (Tanzania) by Univ ersity of Dar el Salaam in 1980s; subsequently World Health Organization (WHO) promote s the use of ART especially with children. As the name indicates Atraumatic Restorat ive Treatment (ART) is basically a minimally invasive procedure that involves removing of softened carious dentine using hand instruments and then restoring the cavity with an a dhesive material usually the Glass Ionomer Cement [1]. ART is based on the maximum preservation of sound tooth tissue and the minimum feeling of discomfort and pain, since there is use o f hand instruments it perhaps also reduces pain due to reduced vibrations as occurs while use o f rotary dental instruments. This technique is gaining popularity and acceptability especially in c hildren, elderly and with those individuals who have fear and anxiety about dental treatment [2 , 3]. ART requires use of very minimal portable dental equipment and was designed to use in field/community settings. It was developed for use in less developed countries of the world, where art was seen as an affordable option for patents who can_t afford to pay for more s ophisticated treatments, but with improved technique and use of improved restorative materials its use has considerable expanded to developed countries as well [4-6]. This article give s a brief overview of ART and its uses in the present scenario. KEY WORDS: ART = Atraumatic Restorative Technique, GIC = Glas s Ionomer Cement