Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART): a minimal intervention alternative for caries injuries

Abstract

This study aimed to demonstrate the importance of Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) in Dentistry, as well as to understand its historical context, describe its advantages and disadvantages, know its indications and limitations and its protocol. Scientific articles published in Portuguese and English, available in the MEDLINE, SciELO and Google Scholar databases were selected, including articles from the last ten years, using the descriptors: “Restorative Dental Treatment without Trauma”, “Dental Caries”, “Glass Ionomer Cement” and “Evaluation of Health Promotion”. The Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) consists of the employability of a technique that aims to combat caries and promote health. It is summarized in a management approach for caries lesions with minimal preparations, using only manual instruments to remove the infected dentin, such as the dentin spoon, being finished later with glass ionomer cement to seal the cavity. The main advantages are related to its application, being preached as a technique of easy execution, quick procedure, low cost, due to the minimum need for materials that are used, it does not require the use of electricity, it can be performed in different environments. In view of the literature, it is understood that ART is a technique of great importance for the management and decline of caries in various dental areas, capable of providing great positive advantages for the dental approach, making care less stressful, more collaborative and faster.

Keywords: Health Promotion Assessment. Dental cavity. Glass Ionomer Cement. Restorative Dental Treatment without Trauma.