Atraumatic Restorative Treatment
Also written as: ART — Atraumatic Restorative Treatment
A minimally invasive caries management approach using hand instruments alone to remove carious tissue, followed by restoration with a high-viscosity glass ionomer cement, without the use of rotary instruments or local anaesthesia.
Full Definition
Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) was developed by the WHO as a low-cost, patient-friendly caries management strategy suitable for field settings, developing countries, or anxious patients. Carious dentine is removed exclusively with hand excavators, avoiding rotary burs and eliminating the need for electrical equipment or routine local anaesthesia. The cavity is then restored with a high-viscosity glass ionomer cement (HVGIC), which bonds chemically to tooth structure and releases fluoride. ART is endorsed by the WHO and is evidence-based for single-surface cavities; evidence for multi-surface cavities is more limited. Editors must not confuse ART with 'minimal intervention dentistry' (MID), which is a broader philosophy encompassing prevention, remineralisation, and operative intervention.
Usage
Usage note: Expand 'ART' on first use; distinguish clearly from aesthetic or cosmetic treatment contexts where the same abbreviation might be misread.
In Context
- "Atraumatic restorative treatment was selected for the anxious six-year-old, avoiding the need for local anaesthetic or a dental drill." — Paediatric dentistry clinical notes
- "ART is endorsed by the WHO for use in resource-limited settings where conventional dental equipment is unavailable." — Global oral health policy report