In vitro studies
Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) is one minimal intervention approach in which demineralized tooth tissues are removed using manual instruments, and the cavity, including adjacent pits and fissures, is restored using a filling material,
usually a glass-ionomer cement (GIC). Since ART can be performed under circumstances where neither electricity nor local anesthesia is required, it is possible that insufficient carious tissues are removed in the process of cavity cleaning. Accordingly,
improvement of filling materials to overcome the problems caused by incomplete removal of infected
dentin will lead to an increase in the success rate of
ART.