Pilot Study of Atraumatic Restorative Treatment with/without tooth surface conditioning

Objectives: To compare the success rate of ART restorations placed with and without tooth surface conditioners over a two year period in a Primary Health Care Centre where cost and simplicity of treatment are of primary concern.

Methods: The study was a Randomized Controlled Trial using the split mouth design. It was carried out among 8-19 year olds school children and adolescents in a low socioeconomic community, Southwestern, Nigeria. Ninety-seven subjects who had 186 bilateral occlusal caries were recruited. Ethical clearance and permission to conduct the study was obtained from the local Institutional Review Board and Ministry of Education. Written parental/Guardian consent was also obtained. Scaling and polishing was first performed for the subjects and oral health instructions were later given. ART was performed using hand-mixed high viscous glass ionomer cement, GC Fuji IX GP and teeth whose surface require conditioning were conditioned with GC Dentine conditioner by one operator. Time taken to place restorations were recorded and the average material cost was calculated. Follow-up of subjects to evaluate retention and marginal integrity of restorations was conducted at 6 months inteval for two years by one independent examiner. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 11. Proportions and percentages were generated. Chi-square test at P<0.05 was used to test associations.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the time taken to place ART restorations with and without conditioners, however, the cost of placing the former was higher than the later. There was no statistically significant difference in the success rate of the two treatment types after two years review.

Conclusion: ART restorations placed without tooth surface conditioners can achieved similar result as when placed with conditioners thus the former treatment can be accepted in a Primary Health Care Centre where cost and simplicity of treatment are of primary importance.