DEFINITION ART is defined as a minimally invasive care approach in preventing dental caries and stopping its further progression. - Jo E. Frencken, 2012 PRINCIPLES Removing carious tooth tissue using hand instruments only INDICATIONS Only in small cavities (involving dentin) In those cavities that are accessible to hand instruments. Public health programs CONTRA INDICATIONS Presence of swelling (abscess) or fistula (opening from abscess region to the oral cavity) near the carious tooth. Pulp exposure Chronic inflammation of the pulp with pain in the tooth There is an obvious carious cavity, but the opening is inaccessible to hand instruments There are clear signs of a cavity for example in a proximal surface, but the cavity cannot be entered from the proximal or the occlusal direction. Reasons for using hand Instruments: With this technique, restorative care is made available to all population groups. This technique is said to be tooth friendly as this conserves sound tooth tissues and causes less trauma to the teeth by requiring minimal cavity preparation. Cost effective technique as this uses hand instruments in place of costly electrically driven dental equipment. Use of local anesthesia for pain management is minimal there by reducing the psychological trauma to patients. Hand instruments are easy clean and sterilize after every use, thus making infection control simplified Reasons for using GIC GIC sticks chemically both to enamel and dentine- the need to cut sound tooth tissue to prepare the cavity is reduced. Fluoride is released from the restoration which will prevent and arrest caries. Biocompatible cement as this restoration does not cause any irritation to pulp and gingiva, and has a co-efficient of thermal expansion similar to tooth structure. Operators work posture: Operator eye to patient tooth- 30 to 35 cms Positions – Direct rear - 12 o’ clock Right rear – 10 o’clock position Assistant head - 10 to 15 cms higher than operator Patient Position Lying on back on flat surface Head rest- firm foam or rubber ring ADVANTAGES Biological approach Painless Simplified infection control No electrically driven and expensive dental equipment is needed Technique is simple enough to train non-dental personnel or primary health care workers Cost effective Friendly procedure Procedure: 1. Carious dentin can be removed with Spoon excavator 2. Fracture off unsupported thin enamel with Dental hatchet 3. Again clean the cavity with wet cotton rolls. Dry the tooth surface with dry cotton rolls 4. Apply dentin conditioner in the prepared tooth cavity 5. Mix the required amount of GIC 6. Restore the prepared cavity with mixed GIC with the help of blunt end of applier 7. Press the restorative material with gloved finger 8. Remove excess restorative material with sharp end of applier 9. Check the occlusion using articulating paper CONCLUSION ART is a combined preventive and curative oral care approach