Clinical investigation of two glass-ionomer restoratives used with the atraumatic restorative treatment approach in China: two-years results.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical performance of two glass-ionomer cements, ChemFlex (Dentsply DeTrey) and Fuji IX GP (GC), when used with the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) approach in China. METHODS: Eighty-nine school children aged between 6 and 14 years who had bilateral matched pairs of carious posterior teeth were included. A split-mouth design was used in which the two materials were randomly placed on contralateral sides. The performance of the restorations was assessed directly and also indirectly from die-stone replicas at baseline and after 6, 12, and 24 months. RESULTS: The 24-month cumulative survival rates of ART restorations in the primary teeth were 93 and 90% for the ChemFlex and Fuji IX GP class I restorations, respectively, while 40 and 46% of class II restorations placed with the respective materials were satisfactory. In the permanent dentition, only class I restorations were involved and the cumulative survival rates were 95 and 96% for ChemFlex and Fuji IX GP. For the primary teeth after 24 months, net mean occlusal wear was 87 microm for ChemFlex and 85 microm for Fuji IX GP. The occlusal wear in the permanent teeth was 75 microm for ChemFlex and 79 microm for Fuji IX GP. CONCLUSION: The clinical performance of both materials over a 24-month period was similar and the survival rates of class I ART restorations in both primary and permanent teeth were high.     

A 2-year clinical study of two glass ionomer cements used in the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) technique

The purpose of the study was to evaluate, in a clinical study over 2 years, the deterioration of two glass ionomer cements used with the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) technique or approach. Fifty-five Fuji IX and 45 ChemFil Superior restorations were placed randomly in 23 adult patients, mainly in small occlusal preparations in molar teeth. The restorations were placed in a dental hospital by one dentist using the ART technique. Photographs, radiographs and replicas were obtained at baseline and subsequent recalls. Both cements were easy to mix and place, but the radiolucency of ChemFil Superior was a disadvantage. Both cements also showed early high losses of sealant and restorative material. After 2 years, 34.5% of the sealants appeared to be completely lost, with caries recorded in 5.3% of the exposed fissures. In some instances, these small lesions may have been present, but not detected clinically, at the time of sealing. Restoration failures of 7.0% were from wear and fracture of the cements and recurrent caries. Mean cumulative wear was 83.1 microm for Fuji IX and 104.0 microm for ChemFil Superior, which was not statistically significant. The cements became darker after their placement to more closely match the restored teeth, but there were few exact matches. There was no surface staining and only minor marginal discrepancies and staining associated with the restorations. Although the short-term clinical performance of the two glass ionomer cements was reasonable, the materials require further improvements in their mechanical properties, to reduce sealant losses and wear. The cements evaluated appear suitable for restricted use only, in posterior teeth.     

ART restorations and glass ionomer sealants in Zimbabwe: survival after 3 years

Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) consists of removing demineralised tooth tissues with hand instruments only, restoring the prepared cavity and sealing the adjacent pits and fissures with an adhesive filling material. This relatively painless, no-handpiece, minimal intervention approach to controlling dental caries is described. ART was applied in an oral health care programme in Zimbabwe that was carried out amongst secondary school students from 1994 to 1997. A new glass ionomer (Fuji IX) was used as the restorative and sealant material. Sealants were placed in high caries risk students using the ‘press-finger’ technique. A total of 297 one-surface ART restorations and 95 glass ionomer sealants were placed in 142 and 66 students, respectively. After 3 years, the lost-to-follow-up percentages for one-surface ART restorations and glass ionomer sealants were 30.6% and 30.5%, respectively. Actuarial (life table) analysis resulted in 3-year survival rates of one-surface ART restorations of 88.3% (95% CI: 92.4%–84.2%), ranging from 94.3% to 65.4% per operator. A total of 28 ART restorations placed in 25 students failed. Reasons for failure related to the material and the operator (11 restorations or 5.3% each), and to caries adjacent to the restoration (one restoration or 0.5%). Reasons for failure were not recorded for five restorations (2.3%). Seal-ants were placed on surfaces diagnosed as early enamel lesions. After 3 years, 71.4% (95% CI: 81.7%–61.1%) of the fully and partially retained sealants survived with a range of 100% to 55.6% per operator. Of the sealed surfaces 96.3% (95% CI: 100%–92.2%) survived 3 years without developing caries. Experienced operators placed better ART restorations than inexperienced operators. This study has demonstrated that ART with a glass ionomer restorative material and sealants provided high quality preventive and restorative dental care to this student population. ART has become one of the treatment modalities available to oral health workers in managing dental caries.     

Restoration of permanent teeth in young rural children in Cambodia using the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) technique and Fuji II glass ionomer cement

Several recent studies have demonstrated the success of the ART (atraumatic restorative treatment) technique under field conditions in developing countries. The ART technique involves removal of caries using only hand instruments, and placing a glass ionomer cement (GIC) restoration.
Objectives. To estimate the longevity of Fuji II GIC ART restorations placed in permanent teeth by dental nurse students under field conditions in rural Cambodia.
Design . Clinical field trial.
Setting . One high school in rural Cambodia.
Sample and methods . 53 subjects between the ages of 12 and 17 who had dental caries were selected to participate. Subjects were randomly assigned to a dental nurse student for cavity preparation and placement of ART restorations (without cavity conditioning).
Results . 92·1% of the carious lesions required class I or class V restorations, and 85·4% were in the lower molars. 89 teeth were filled. At 1 and 3 years 86·4% and 79·5% of restorations were still present. Restorations were assessed by one dentist according to standard criteria. 76·3% of the restorations were judged to be successful at 1 year, and 57·9% at 3 years.
Conclusions . Factors which may have affected the success rates included: the material used, technical factors, failure to condition the cavity prior to restoration, and inexperience of the operators. The results suggest that ART restorations in permanent teeth using Fuji II GIC are only moderately successful after 3 years. Better results could be expected by using a dentine conditioner in conjunction with one of the newer stronger glass ionomer cements.     

The effects of two cavity preparation methods on the longevity of glass ionomer cement restorations: an evaluation after 12 months

BACKGROUND: The authors undertook a study to evaluate the effect of two cavity preparation methods on the initial survival of two more-viscous glass ionomer cements, or GICs, placed in the occlusal surfaces of permanent molar teeth. METHODS: Three dentists placed 149 restorations in 68 adult patients in a hospital clinic. They used either atraumatic restorative treatment, or ART, or conventional cavity preparation methods to place two encapsulated esthetic conventional GICs: Fuji IX GP (GC International Corp., Tokyo) and Ketac-Molar Aplicap (3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany). For comparison, they used high-copper-content GK Amalgam Alloy (Advanced Technology & Materials Co. Ltd., Beijing) in conventional preparations. They evaluated the restorations using both direct and indirect observation methods. RESULTS: Cavity preparations for which the authors used ART hand instruments took approximately twice as long to complete as did those for which they used conventional rotary instruments. After 12 months, no restorations had failed, but restorations comprising both GICs showed early losses of adjacent sealant material. Both GICs also showed relatively high restoration wear. At 12 months, the mean cumulative net occlusal wear for Fuji IX GP was 77 +/- 47 micrometers, and for Ketac-Molar 83 +/- 51 microm, without statistical significance (P > .05). Color matching improved significantly with time (P < .001), without significant differences in color between the two GICs by 12 months (P = .09). The amalgam alloy had minor surface tarnishing and marginal discrepancies increased with time (P < .00 1). CONCLUSIONS: All of the occlusal restorations were rated as satisfactory after 12 months. The method of cavity preparation did not affect the restoration performance of the GICs. However, their deterioration requires long-term monitoring. Clinical Implications. The more viscous GICs appear initially suitable for restricted use in clinical practice when placed using either of two cavity preparation methods in the occlusal surfaces of permanent molar teeth in adults.     

A clinical evaluation of resin-based composite and glass ionomer cement restorations placed in primary teeth using the ART approach: results at 24 months

BACKGROUND: The authors evaluated the 24-month performance of a packable resin-based composite/dentin bonding system and a high-viscosity glass ionomer cement (GIC) in restorations placed in primary molars with the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) approach. METHODS: Three dentists placed 419 restorations in 219 children aged 6 through 10 years who had bilateral matched pairs of carious posterior Class I and II primary teeth. They used a split-mouth design to place the two materials, which were assigned randomly to contralateral sides. The authors evaluated the restorations according to U.S. Public Health Service Ryge criteria. RESULTS: After 24 months, 96.7 percent of the Class I GIC restorations and 91 percent of the resin-based composite restorations survived, while the success rates for the Class II restorations were 76.1 percent and 82 percent for the GIC and resin-based composite restorations, respectively. The survival rate of the Class II resin-based composite restorations was 5.9 percent higher than that of the GIC restorations at the 24-month evaluation, but this difference was not statistically significant. However, the study results showed a statistically significant difference in survival rates between Class I and II restorations for both materials. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The two-year clinical performance of both materials was satisfactory for the restoration of Class I and II primary molars using the ART approach.     

A clinical evaluation of two glass ionomer cements in primary molars using atraumatic restorative treatment technique in India: 1 year follow up

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2010; 20: 410–418 Aim. To compare the clinical performance of two glass ionomer cements, Amalgomer CR and Fuji IX in small and medium cavities prepared using Atraumatic restorative treatment approach in India. Study design. One hundred school children in the age group of 4–9 years who had bilateral matched pair of carious lesions in primary posterior teeth were included. A split mouth design was used in which two materials were randomly placed in contralateral sides. The performance of the restorations was assessed after 1 year using Frenken’s criteria (1996).Survival analysis of restoration was done using chi‐square test. Results. The survival rate of Amalgomer CR and Fuji IX class I restorations were 97.4% and 94.9%, respectively. In class II cavities 95.1% and 88.5% of Amalgomer CR and Fuji IX restorations were successful. Amalgomer CR and Fuji IX showed a success of 94.2% and 92.3% in small sized class II cavities. Amalgomer CR showed a 100% success for medium sized class I and II restorations. Whereas Fuji IX showed a 100% and 66.7% success in medium sized class I and II cavities. Conclusion. The clinical performances of both materials were satisfactory at the end of 1 year and ART is suitable procedure to be done in a dental clinic for children.     

An in vitro investigation of marginal dentine caries abutting composite resin and glass ionomer cement restorations

BACKGROUND: There are a number of studies citing the primary reason for replacing auto cure glass ionomer cements was due to recurrent caries. The purpose of this study was to use an in vitro model to measure caries at the dentine restoration interface of bonded composite resin and auto cure glass ionomer cement restorations and to measure the amount of surface degradation occurring in the restorative materials. METHODS: Specimens of auto cure glass ionomer cements (Riva Fast, Fuji IX Fast, Ketac Molar Quick and Fuji VII) and bonded composite resin restorations (Ice, SDI) were placed separately at the dentino-enamel junction of 10 recently extracted human third molar teeth, disinfected and placed into the overflow from a continuous culture of S. mutans for two weeks. Restorations were sectioned and prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Restoration tooth interfaces were photographed and the distance from the surface of the teeth to the surface of the restorations measured. EPMA of percentage weights of calcium, phosphorous and fluoride were made outwards from the restoration surface 130pm at a depth of 10 microm below the surface of the dentine. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the surface heights of composite resin, auto cure glass ionomer cements compared to teeth surfaces. Percentage weights of calcium and phosphorus levels were similar to non-demineralized dentine in the auto cure glass ionomer cement samples but there were significant reductions in mineral content of dentine adjacent to bonded composite resin restorations. Fluoride levels were mixed. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that placing a bonded composite resin restoration into dentine affords little protection to the surrounding tooth from caries attack although insignificant degradation of the restorative surface occurs. Placing a glass ionomer cement restoration into dentine protects the surrounding tooth from caries but degradation of the restoration surface occurs.     

Survival of ART and amalgam restorations in permanent teeth of children after 6.3 years

The null hypothesis tested was that there is no difference in the survival percentages of all restorations placed through the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) approach, with high-viscosity glass ionomer, and those produced through the traditional approach, with amalgam (TA), in the permanent dentitions of children after 6.3 years. Using a parallel group design, we randomly assigned a total of 370 children, aged 6 to 9 years, to the ART group and 311 children, also aged 6 to 9 years, to the TA group. Eight dentists placed a total of 1117 single- and multiple-surface restorations. The cumulative survival percentages for ART glass-ionomer restorations were statistically significantly higher than those of amalgam restorations at all time intervals except the first (p < or = 0.044). After 6.3 years, the cumulative survival percentages of ART and amalgam restorations were 66.1% (SE = 3.1%) and 57.0% (SE = 3.3%), respectively. We concluded that the restorations produced with the ART approach, with high-viscosity glass ionomer, survived longer than those produced with the traditional approach, with amalgam, in the permanent teeth of young children.     

In vitro caries inhibition at the enamel margins of glass ionomer restoratives developed for the ART approach

OBJECTIVES: To assess the ability of conventional glass ionomer cements manufactured specifically for the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) approach to inhibit the in vitro demineralization of enamel. METHODS: Twenty-four sound permanent premolar teeth, extracted for orthodontic reasons, had cervical cavities (4x2x1. 5mm(3)) prepared in enamel. These were restored with Fuji IX, Fuji IX GP, Ketac-Molar and Compoglass, and then thermocycled 300 times between 5-55 degrees C before being placed in a demineralizing solution (0.1M lactic acid with 1g/l dissolved hydroxyapatite at pH 4.7) for four weeks. Buccolingual planoparallel sections were cut axially through the restorations, and subsequently lapped to approximately 100 microm thickness. The sections were examined with a polarized light microscope, and lesion measurements made using image analysis software. ANOVA and coefficients of variance were used to compare the findings. RESULTS: Compoglass and Ketac-Molar showed significantly less surface erosion than did the other two cements (p<0.0001). Inhibition of enamel demineralization immediately adjacent to the restoration margins was more frequent with the glass ionomer cements (20.5-25.0%) than with Compoglass (13.0%). However, the widths of the inhibition zones varied between materials and sites. CONCLUSIONS: Fluoride ion release from the restorative materials afforded some degree of protection to the adjacent enamel against in vitro demineralization.     

Survival of glass ionomer restorations placed in primary molars using atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) and conventional cavity preparations: 2-year results

OBJECTIVE: To compare the survival of glass ionomer cement (GIC) restorations placed in a dental clinic setting using both the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) approach with hand instruments, and conventional cavity preparation with rotary instruments. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Two encapsulated high-strength conventional GICs (Fuji IX GP, Ketac-Molar Aplicap) were placed in 82 Class I and 53 Class II preparations and one encapsulated non-gamma 2 amalgam alloy (GK-amalgam) was placed in 32 Class I preparations, in the primary molars of 60 Chinese children with a mean age of 7.40 +/- 1.24 (SD) years. Thus, 9 treatment groups were formed. RESULTS: After two years, there were no significant survival differences found among 7 of the 9 treatment groups (p = 0.99). However, two groups comprising Fuji IX GP and Ketac-Molar Aplicap placed in Class II cavities prepared using the ART approach showed significantly lower restoration survivals (p < 0.001). Only 3 of the 72 initially sealed fissures adjacent to the restorations appeared to retain any GIC material. CONCLUSIONS: In a clinic setting, both the ART hand instrument and conventional rotary instrument methods were equally suitable for high Class I restoration survival, but not for Class II restoration survival where the conventional cavity preparation method was preferable.     

A one-year clinical evaluation of a high-viscosity glass ionomer cement in primary molars

In this study one-year clinical results of high-viscosity glass ionomer cement (GIC) (Fuji IX, A3, GC, Japan) were determined in class I and class II restorations in 68 primary molars with occlusal or approximal caries. Following caries removal and cavity preparation, the teeth were restored with Fuji IX. The restorations were evaluated according to the U.S. Public Health Service's (USPHS) criteria at the end of one year. Statistical analyses of the data obtained were analyzed using the X2 test. The evaluations showed no statistically significant difference between class I and class II restorations in terms of the color mismatch, anatomic form, marginal adaptation, and secondary caries (P>0.05), but they were statistically significant with regard to cavosurface marginal discoloration (P<0.05). At the end of one year, the success rate of the class I and class II restorations of the primary molars restored with Fuji IX was 94%.     

Marginal leakage of visible light-cured glass ionomer restorative materials

This study examined the sealing of two visible light-cured glass ionomer restorative materials and a conventional glass ionomer. Class V cavity preparations were completed at the cementoenamel junction on the facial and lingual surfaces of extracted human molars. The cavity preparations were restored with either VariGlass VLC, GC Fuji II LC, or GC Fuji II glass ionomer cements. The restored teeth were thermocycled, immersed in fuchsin dye for 24 hours, sectioned, and evaluated with a measuring microscope. No microleakage occurred at the enamel/glass ionomer or dentin/glass ionomer cement interfaces of any samples, but the enamel adjacent to the VariGlass glass ionomer cement restorations exhibited crazing and staining.     

Six-month evaluation of ART one-surface restorations in a community with high caries experience in Brazil

The aim of this study to evaluate the success rate in one-surface ART restorations placed in permanent molars using a glass ionomer cement especially developed for ART in a community with high caries experience; to evaluate the operator influence on its success, post-operative sensitivity and technique acceptance by patients. Prior to placement of the restorations, the Gingival Bleeding Index, Visible Plaque Index, DMFT, dmft indices and treatment needed were assessed. One hundred and fifty five one-surface restorations were placed in permanent molars of school children, according to the WHO ART manual, 1997. After 6 months, the success rate was verified clinically and by slides. At baseline, the mean DMFT was 2.56 (±1.08) and the mean dmft, 2.53 (±2.33). Operators A and B have placed 102 and 53 ART restorations respectively. The mean time of placement was 16 minutes and 25 seconds to operator A and 14 minutes and 43 seconds to operator B. At 6-month follow up, 152 ART restorations were evaluated and 97.3% were assessed to be successful. Two restorations were excluded from the sample because the ART restorations were replaced by amalgam fillings. Only 4 restorations have failed, in which 2 due to caries, 1 due to fistula presence and the other because the restoration was lost. Four patients reported postoperative sensitivity. At this study period, ART treatment seems to be suitable for its purpose. Further evaluations are necessary to the new glass ionomer cements especially developed for ART technique provided good results at 6-month follow up in a community with high DMFT and dmft indices. The success rate for one-surface cavities in permanent molars was 97.3%, and the studied indices seemed to have no influence in this early evolution period.     

ART和传统充填技术30个月的临床观察与研究

目的评价2种ART专用玻璃离子水门汀(GIC)充填恒磨牙He面龋的效果。方法ART和传统窝洞预备方法，Fuji IX GP和Ketac-Molar为观察组，银汞为对照组。结果ART备洞时间是传统方法的2倍。30月后，2种GICS充填体He面磨损重，窝沟封闭材料缺损大，但无材料差异，无窝沟的龋坏；材料的颜色早期变化明显。银汞充填体表面着色和边缘破损情况随时间的推移而加重。结论改良的GIC适用于有选择的恒磨牙He面龋的充填。     

Comparison of atraumatic restorative treatment and conventional restorative procedures in a hospital clinic: evaluation after 30 months.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate two glass-ionomer cements placed in the occlusal surfaces of permanent molar teeth, using two cavity preparation methods. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Three dentists placed 149 restorations for 68 patients in a hospital clinic. Atraumatic restorative treatment or conventional cavity preparation methods were used for two encapsulated, high-strength conventional glass-ionomer cements: Fuji IX GP and Ketac-Molar. Non-gamma 2 amalgam alloy was used in conventional preparations for comparison. RESULTS: The restorative procedures were uneventful, but cavity preparations made with atraumatic restorative treatment hand instruments took approximately twice as long as did conventional rotary instrumentation. After 30 months, only one glass-ionomer cement restoration had failed. Both glass-ionomer cements showed high early losses of sealant material, but caries was not detected in the exposed fissures. Both glass-ionomer cements also showed relatively high restoration wear. At 30 months, the mean cumulative net occlusal wear was 119 +/- 12 mm for Fuji IX GP and 96 +/- 13 mm for Ketac-Molar; the difference was not statistically significant. Color matching improved significantly by 6 months; there was no significant difference in color match between the two glass-ionomer cements by 12 months. Minor surface tarnishing and marginal discrepancies were present in the amalgam restorations and increased with time. CONCLUSION: The occlusal restorations performed satisfactorily over periods of up to 30 months. However, the continued deterioration of the cements requires longer-term studies to be undertaken.     

Comparative evaluation of the microleakage of two modified glass ionomer cements on primary molars. An in vivo study

This in vivo study was conducted to compare and evaluate the microleakage of two modified glass ionomer cements on deciduous molars. Thirty children (10-16 years) were selected. In each patient, standardized class V cavities were prepared on the buccal surfaces of two different retained deciduous molars and these cavities were restored with GC Fuji II LC (Improved) and GC Fuji IX GP, respectively. Following a period of four weeks after the restoration, these teeth were extracted and immersed in 2% Basic Fuschin dye solution for 24 hours. The depth of dye penetration was assessed after sectioning the teeth and the microleakage determined. The results were statistically analyzed using Student 't' test. It was concluded that both the materials, GC Fuji II LC (Improved) and GC Fuji IX GP were comparable in performance and can be considered to be materials safe for Pedodontics usage, and decrease bacterial penetration.     

The post-amalgam era: a selection of materials and their longevity in the primary and young permanent dentitions

Summary. Objectives. During the last decade there has been a rapid change in the selection of dental restorative materials as the use of amalgam has decreased. The aim of this study was to obtain information on children's restorative dental care in Finland and to analyse the longevity of failed restorations. Design. A random sample of public dental health care centres was drawn from the registers and the dentists working there were asked to record information for each restoration they placed during a three‐day period. The survey data comprised a total of 2186 restorations in patients younger than 17 years. Results. Of the children in need of restorative treatment, only a few had previous amalgam restorations. Primary caries was the main reason for restorative treatment in both primary and permanent dentitions (80% and 83%, respectively). In primary teeth, the most common restorative material was resin‐modified glass ionomer cement (57·4%), whereas in permanent teeth, composite resin dominated (58·7%). Amalgam was not used at all in the primary dentition and in only 0·6% of permanent teeth. Eighteen per cent of treatments in primary and 12% in permanent teeth were replacements of previous fillings. The mean age of failed glass ionomer restorations was 2·8 years (n = 101) in the primary dentition, and 3·5 years (n = 54) in the permanent dentition. Conclusions. Until better restorative materials are developed, more attention should be paid to the prevention of dental caries as well as to the proper handling of alternative materials.     

Three-year survival of single- and two-surface ART restorations in a high-caries child population

The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival of single- and two-surface atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) restorations in the primary and permanent dentitions of children from a high-caries population, in a field setting. The study was conducted in the rainforest of Suriname, South America. ART restorations, made by four Dutch dentists, were evaluated after 6 months, 1, 2, and 3 years. Four hundred seventy-five ART restorations were placed in the primary dentition and 54 in first permanent molars of 194 children (mean age 6.09 ± 0.48 years). Three-year cumulative survivals of single- and two-surface ART restorations in the primary dentition were 43.4 and 12.2%, respectively. Main failure characteristics were gross marginal defects and total or partial losses. Three-year cumulative survival for single-surface ART restorations in the permanent dentition was 29.6%. Main failure characteristics were secondary caries and gross marginal defects. An operator effect was found only for two-surface restorations. The results show extremely low survival rates for single- and two-surface ART restorations in the primary and permanent dentitions. The variable success for ART may initiate further discussion about alternative treatment strategies, especially in those situations where choices have to be made with respect to a well-balanced, cost-effective package of basic oral health care.     

Comparison between restorations in the permanent dentition produced by hand and rotary instrumentation--survival after 3 years

OBJECTIVES: In the early 1990s, the Ministry of Education in Syria introduced a school oral health programme based on preventive and educational activities only. A restorative component was missing at that time. A few years later, the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) approach was considered an option to complement the oral health programme but little was known about the longevity of ART restorations in permanent teeth. The null hypothesis which was researched in this trial was: there is no difference between the survival of restorations placed through the ART approach using glass ionomer and those produced through the traditional approach using amalgam (MTA) in permanent dentitions after 3 years. METHODS: Using a parallel group design, 679 grade 2 children, with a mean age of 7.5 years, participated. A total of 369 children were treated through the ART and 310 children through the MTA approach. Eight dentists produced a total of 1118 single- and multiple-surface restorations. RESULTS: The 3-year dropout of the single-surface restorations was 15.3%. Testing the null hypothesis for all single- and multiple-surface restorations revealed a statistically significant difference between the two approaches in favour of the ART approach (P = 0.04). The study showed a 3-year cumulative survival percentage of single-surface ART and MTA restorations of 82.1 (SE = 1.9%) and 76.9% (SE = 2.3%), respectively. The difference was not statistically significant. The number of 3-year surviving multiple-surface restorations was too low for further analyses. The main failure characteristics for both single-surface ART and MTA restorations were restoration missing and gross marginal defect. The 3-year survival percentage of both single-surface ART and MTA restorations varied widely among the eight operators resulting in an operator effect (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The null hypothesis was rejected in favour of the ART approach. It is recommended to select the ART approach to complement the educational and preventive activities of the school oral health programme in Syria.