Examining the restoration of ART and Ozone treated primary root carious lesions

IADR Meeting in Belfast 2004, Holmes J published a study examining the restoration of ART and Ozone treated primary root carious lesions. This study assessed the placement time required and durability of restorations placed on ART and O3 treated primary root carious lesions (PRCL) in the most severe category (J Dent Res 1993;73: 623-629) compared to conventional treatment. A previous study by Holmes J showed that 100% caries reversal with O3 treated PRCL's can be obtained (Gerodontology, 2003: 20, 106-114). Each subject had one PRCL made caries free using conventional local analgesia (LA), drilling and filling using Optibond Solo Plus and Point 4 (KerrHawe) composite resin. The remaining PRCL's were treated with the ART technique and O3 treatment for 20 seconds (HealOzone, KaVo) without LA, followed by filling using Optibond Solo Plus and Point 4. Up to 1 mm of softened carious dentine was left overlying the pulpal floor prior to O3 treatment. The mean (SD) time required for ART, Ozone treatment and placement of a restoration was 10 (2) minutes, whilst the conventional technique, including LA, required 23 (4) minutes (P<0.05). After 18 months 25% of the conventionally treated teeth required RCT whilst none of the ART and Ozone treated teeth required RCT (P<0.01). The conclusion in this study has to be that ART combined with O3 treatment saves time and reduces the need for RCT compared to conventional drilling and filling.