Silver modified atraumatic restorative treatment: a paradigm shift in dental caries management

Abstract

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) are treatment modalities that are minimally invasive and used for the prevention and control of dental caries. The amalgamation of these two techniques has led to the development of silver modified atraumatic restorative treatment (SMART). In this approach the carious lesion is restored with glass-ionomer cement (GIC) after SDF application. SMART effectively arrests caries without removing additional tooth structure, making it a promising option for caries management in children who lack cooperative ability. This article reviews the literature on SMART, the evidence regarding its applications in dental practice, its advantages, drawbacks, the scope for research, and clinical use.