What is ART in minimally invasive dentistry and what material is typically used?

• A. Laser-assisted caries removal.
• B. Atraumatic Restorative Treatment using hand instruments to remove caries and place a high-viscosity glass ionomer cement.
• C. Conventional drilling with composite restoration.
• D. Surgical extraction.

Answer: (B)

Atraumatic Restorative Treatment is a minimally invasive approach that emphasizes conserving tooth structure by removing only the most softened dentin with hand instruments and then sealing and restoring the area with a material that can be placed easily in settings with limited equipment. The material used is high-viscosity glass ionomer cement, chosen for its ability to chemically bond to dentin, its fluoride release which can help reduce secondary decay, and its forgiving handling in moist or field conditions. This combination makes ART particularly suitable for use in communities with limited access to traditional dental equipment and for young or uncooperative patients.

Other approaches described, such as laser-assisted caries removal, involve different techniques and aren’t the restorative method emphasized in ART; conventional drilling with composite relies on rotary instruments and resin composites, which contrasts with ART’s hand-removed caries and glass ionomer restoration; and surgical extraction is unrelated to restoring a carious tooth.