Clinical performance of ART restorations in primary teeth: a survival analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the survival of Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) restorations in primary teeth performed in a dental clinical setting.


METHODS
One hundred and five single-surface ART restorations placed in 56 preschool children (mean age 31 months) were included. Final-year dental students performed the restorations using standard ART procedures with hand instruments. A resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Vitremer 3M/ESPE) was used as a restorative material. Performances of the restorations were assessed directly by the ART evaluation criteria. Follow-up period ranged from 6 to 48 months. Survival estimates for restoration longevity were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Log-rank test (P < or = .05) was used to compare the success rates according to demographic and clinical characteristics of the restorations at baseline (age, sex, arch and segment).


RESULTS
Mean and median estimate times of survival were 37 (95% CI: 32-42) months and 38 (95% CI: 29-47) months respectively. Success rates for ART restorations were 89%, 85% and 72% in 6 to 11, 12 to 24 and 25 to 48 months of evaluation respectively. Differences in success rates among demographic and clinical characteristics were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
High survivals rates of the ART restorations found in this study seem to indicate the reliability of this approach as an appropriate treatment option for primary teeth in a clinical setting.
Faccin
Elise Sasso
ES
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Lutheran University of Brazil, Canoas, Brazil.
Ferreira
Simone Helena
SH
Kramer
Paulo Floriani
PF
Ardenghi
Thiago Machado
TM
Feldens
Carlos Alberto
CA
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003188:Composite Resins; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003188:Composite Resins; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; C084550:Vitremer