To protect the health of dental practitioners around the globe, some procedures such as the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment can be preferred in order to avoid the spread of virus particles (aerosol generation).

Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) is based on the minimal intervention dentistry approach that provides several benefits: 

✓ Avoid aerosol generation

✓ Save the tooth

✓ Reduce the chance of odontogenic infection

✓ Manage pain

Biodentine™ can be placed from the pulp to the top of the cavity (bio bulk fill).

For ART procedure, it is recommended to place the final enamel restoration in the same session.

1. Examination with x-rays if necessary. If the tooth can be restored (as in a cavitated lesion with reversible pulpitis), an ART can be considered.

2. Rinse with 1.5% hydrogen peroxide or a povidone-iodine oral rinse.

3. Administer local anesthesia as indicated.

4. Place rubber dam for isolation.

5. If there is access to the lesion begin excavation of the caries using surgical curettes or spoon excavators, to remove as much of the lesion as is appropriate from clinical judgment. Place matrix if appropriate in preparation for the restoration.

6. Mix Biodentine and bulk fill the cavity with Biodentine™. The total handling time of Biodentine is 12 minutes (6 minutes for mixing and placement, and 6 minutes for setting in the mouth).

7. After complete setting of Biodentine™, the cavity is covered in the same session with a composite filling in combination with a self-etching dentine adhesive. Remove the rubber dam and verify occlusion.

8. Patient can be dismissed with chewing, care and maintenance instructions.

9. Set up appropriate phone follow-up.

*By Mark Roettger DDS, Chief of Dentistry, University of Minnesota Medical Center