ART for treating root caries in older people

This was pseudo-randomised controlled trial.

Root caries lesions were prepared either using the atraumatic restorative technique (ART), using only hand instruments then restoration with a high-strength chemically cured glass-ionomer material (Ketac Molar; 3M Espe, Seefeld, Germany), or conventionally, using dental burs and restoration with a resin-modified glass-ionomer material. (Fuji II LC, GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan).

The presence and status of the restoration, and the need for replacement or repair, were assessed. Sound restorations or restorations with only a marginal defect or wear of <0.5 mm (measured by the ball tip of a CPI periodontal probe) were classified as having survived. The modified US Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria for evaluation of restorative materials were also used to assess the status of the restorations with respect to retention, marginal integrity, marginal discoloration, recurrent caries, anatomical form and surface texture.

In total, 162 restorations, comprising 78 ART and 84 conventional, were placed in 103 elderly people (72 women and 31 men) who had a mean age of 78.6 years. The vast majority received either one or two root restorations. Only three of the restorations involved multiple surfaces. After 12 months, 59 ART and 63 conventional restorations in 77 participants were examined. The main results at 12 months are shown in the Table 1. There were no statistical differences between the two types of restorations for each of the USPHS criteria or for 12 month cumulative survival rates (ART, 87.0%; conventional treatment, 91.7%).

In elderly people living in care homes, the 12-month survival rate of glass-ionomer restorations placed on root surfaces using the ART was high and comparable with conventional restorations.