Six-month evaluation of ART one-surface restorations in a community with high caries experience in Brazil

Eduardo Bresciani,Lúcia Coelho Garcia Pereira,Maria Fidela De Lima Navarro,Franklin García-Godoy,Terezinha De Jesus Esteves Barata,Wendell Lima De Carvalho

doi:10.1590/s1678-77572005000200017

Abstract

The aim of this study to evaluate the success rate in one-surface ART restorations placed in permanent molars using a glass ionomer cement especially developed for ART in a community with high caries experience; to evaluate the operator influence on its success, post-operative sensitivity and technique acceptance by patients. Prior to placement of the restorations, the Gingival Bleeding Index, Visible Plaque Index, DMFT, dmft indices and treatment needed were assessed. One hundred and fifty five one-surface restorations were placed in permanent molars of school children, according to the WHO ART manual, 1997. After 6 months, the success rate was verified clinically and by slides. At baseline, the mean DMFT was 2.56 (±1.08) and the mean dmft, 2.53 (±2.33). Operators A and B have placed 102 and 53 ART restorations respectively. The mean time of placement was 16 minutes and 25 seconds to operator A and 14 minutes and 43 seconds to operator B. At 6-month follow up, 152 ART restorations were evaluated and 97.3% were assessed to be successful. Two restorations were excluded from the sample because the ART restorations were replaced by amalgam fillings. Only 4 restorations have failed, in which 2 due to caries, 1 due to fistula presence and the other because the restoration was lost. Four patients reported postoperative sensitivity. At this study period, ART treatment seems to be suitable for its purpose. Further evaluations are necessary to the new glass ionomer cements especially developed for ART technique provided good results at 6-month follow up in a community with high DMFT and dmft indices. The success rate for one-surface cavities in permanent molars was 97.3%, and the studied indices seemed to have no influence in this early evolution period.

Highlights

According to the WHO25, dental caries and gingival disease are two of the most widespread diseases, and their prevention is based on good oral hygiene habits, use of fluorides and prudent diet
Regarding the population’s difficulty to afford conventional dental treatment and because of the lack of expensive dental equipments in developing countries, Smith, et al.19(1990) tested and compared three kinds of restorations: amalgam, miracle mix and glass ionomer cements with amalgam powder
No correlation was observed between Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) and Visible Plaque Index (VPI) (Pearson, p=0.0000685)

Summary

Introduction

According to the WHO25, dental caries and gingival disease are two of the most widespread diseases, and their prevention is based on good oral hygiene habits, use of fluorides and prudent diet. In developed countries the level of these diseases has dramatically decreased but it is still a problem in developing countries, where some communities have no oral care or cannot afford it. The equipments and instruments used to provide dental treatment are very expensive and electricity is required to run these equipments[27]. Dental caries go untreated and further extraction is almost always needed. Regarding the population’s difficulty to afford conventional dental treatment and because of the lack of expensive dental equipments in developing countries, Smith, et al.19(1990) tested and compared three kinds of restorations: amalgam, miracle mix and glass ionomer cements with amalgam powder. Better results were observed with amalgam restorations than with the other two kinds of restorations[19]

Methods

Results

Conclusion