Glass Ionomer Versus Giomer for ART: Cost-analysis of a RCT

Objectives: To evaluate the spent time and costs of Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) restorations using high viscosity glass ionomer cement (GIC) and Giomer (GIO) for occluso-proximal cavitated dentin caries lesions in primary molars.
Methods: After the endorsement from local Ethical Board (#2339550) and ClinicalTrials.gov registration (NCT02962713), 116 children from 4 to 9 years old were selected in Cerquilho, Brazil. The patients were randomly allocated in two groups according to the restorative material: GIC (Equia Forte^® – GC Corp) or GIO (Beautifil Bulk Restorative^® – Shofu) and treated by a specialist in paediatric dentistry on school setting following ART premises and the manufacturer’s instructions. Only one tooth were included per child. The time spent in each treatment and the cost of the treatment (material and professional cost), were calculated. Linear Regression analysis (α = 5%) was used for testing the outcomes (time and costs) and independent variables (surface, side, jaw, caries experience, cavity volume and age of the child).
Results: The time spent was influenced only by the restorative material (p=0.017), where the GIC restorations were more time-consuming. The mean time spent in the GIC group was 9.79 minutes (SD=2.85), while in the GIO group was 8.44 minutes (SD=2.45). Regarding the total expense of the treatment, the mean cost of the GIC group was 12.01 US$ dollars (SD=2.3), while GIO was 7.98 US$ dollars (SD=1.62). GIO restorations presented 34% lower cost when compared to the GIC group (p<0.001).
Conclusions: GIC restorations are more time-consuming, but this difference is lower than 2 minutes. GIO restorations presents lower total cost when compared to GIC.