Two Years Survival Rate of Occlusal ART Restorations Placed Without Tooth Surface Conditioning in a Primary Oral Health Care Centre

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability and effectiveness of ART restorations placed without tooth surface conditioning on occlusal caries in the permanent dentition in a primary oral health care centre in Nigeria. A total of 93 ART restorations were placed without tooth conditioning in children and adolescents aged 13.1 (±3.0) years by a dentist trained in the ART approach. This study was carried out in a primary oral health care centre in a low socioeconomic community, Southwestern Nigeria. The restorations were evaluated every 6 months for 2 years by one independent examiner. The cumulative survival rates were determined by the coded scores and standard criteria for evaluation of ART restorations. Over 95.0% of the children reported that the treatment was not painful and 94.8% responded that they would make recall visits. A similarly high proportion reported that they would encourage others with dental caries to come for the ART. The cumulative 2- year survival rate of single surface occlusal ART restorations placed without conditioner was 88.5% (SE=2.9%). The ART restorations placed without tooth conditioning were shown to be acceptable and effective in the management of single-surface occlusal caries in the permanent dentition of children and adolescents in a primary care setting.

Keywords: Survival, Occlusal, Tooth conditioning, Primary Oral Health Care Centre, Atraumatic Restorative Treatment