Alternative Restorative Treatment (ART)

Alternative Restorative Treatment (ART), now recognized by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), is a minimally invasive approach to treating dental caries, especially in situations where traditional dental care is not readily accessible or feasible. It involves removing decayed tooth structure using hand instruments and restoring the tooth with a fluoride-releasing material, like glass ionomer cement (GIC). The AAPD acknowledges ART's effectiveness in young, uncooperative, or special needs patients, and in situations where traditional methods are impractical.