Atraumatic restorative treatment

Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (pronounced: a-trau-mat-ic res-tor-a-tive treat-ment), often abbreviated as ART, is a dental treatment procedure that aims to prevent and control dental caries by removing decayed tooth tissue using hand instruments alone and restoring the tooth with an adhesive material.

Etymology

The term "Atraumatic Restorative Treatment" is derived from the English language. "Atraumatic" refers to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure, "Restorative" refers to the process of restoring the tooth to its original or near-original state, and "Treatment" refers to the medical care provided to improve a health condition.

Procedure

The ART procedure involves the removal of decayed tooth tissue using hand instruments alone, without the use of electric drills. This is followed by the restoration of the tooth using an adhesive material, usually a high-viscosity glass ionomer cement. The procedure is considered atraumatic because it causes minimal trauma to the tooth and surrounding tissues.

Advantages

The main advantages of ART include its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and acceptability by patients, especially those with dental anxiety or fear of dental drills. It also reduces the need for local anesthesia and electricity, making it suitable for use in under-resourced settings.

Disadvantages

Despite its advantages, ART may not be suitable for all types of cavities. It is less effective in treating deep cavities or cavities in certain locations. The success of the treatment also depends on the skill and experience of the dentist.

Related Terms

Dental caries: A bacterial infection that causes demineralization and destruction of the hard tissues of the teeth.
Glass ionomer cement: A type of dental cement that is used for a wide range of dental procedures, including as a restorative material in ART.
Dental anxiety: A type of anxiety disorder that is associated with fear or stress at the thought of visiting the dentist or receiving dental care.