Conclusions
Although the newer, more-viscous GICs are recommended by
manufacturers as definitive restorations for cavity preparations
in primary molars, some clinical problems have become apparent over the short-term. These include the early loss of sealant
material, the loss of restorations from shallow and nonmacromechanically
retentive preparations, bulk fracture of
multisurface restorations, and restoration wear. Recurrent caries
has not been shown to be a problem at this time, but further
improvements in the mechanical and adhesive properties of the
newer GICs are required for their optimal clinical performance.
Further investigations are also required of methods for the
remineralization of shallow open carious lesions as an alternative
to restorations, and of longer-term clinical studies for the
cost-effectiveness of the ART approach. Although there is the
need for continued evidence-based research, the ART approach
has clearly demonstrated a very high acceptance by children,
and has also resulted in the retention of many teeth that otherwise
would have been extracted