Two-year evaluation of the atraumatic restorative treatment approach in primary molars class I and II restorations

Background.  Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) has the advantages of reducing pain and fear and of being more cost-effective than the traditional approach.

Aim.  The aim of this study was to investigate the survival of ART class I and II restorations in primary molars at 2 years.

Design.  The sample consisted of 190 restorations and placed in 155 children 6-7 years old of both genders. The treatment was performed by two final-year dental students. All patients were treated in a completely supine position on tables available in the schools. The restorations were evaluated at 1, 12, and 24 months.

Results.  The best results were found for class I in each period of follow-up. After 1 month, the success of class I restorations was 94.6% and class II restorations 70.1%. After 12 months, the success rate was 50.6% for class I and 15.2% for class II. The most frequent failure characteristics were totally or partially lost and gross marginal defect.

Conclusions.  The rate of success of restorations using the ART approach was significantly lower for class II.