Conclusions ART single-surface restorations  presented high survival percentages in both primary and permanent posterior teeth , whilst ART multiple-surface restorations presented lower survival percentages .
ART sealants presented a high-caries-preventive effect .
Clinical relevance ART is an effective evidence -based option for treating and preventing carious lesions in primary and permanent posterior teeth
Objective The aim of the present study is to up date the results of two previous meta-analyses , published in 2006 and 2012 , on the survival percentages of  atraumatic restorative treatment ( ART ) restorations and ART sealants .
The current meta- analysis includes Chinese publications not investigated before .
Sealing Caries in Primary Molars
The Hall Technique ( HT ) is a method for managing carious primary molars . Decay is sealed under pre-formed metal crowns without any caries removal , tooth preparation , or local anesthesia . The aim of this study was to compare  HT clinical /radiographic failure rates with General Dental Practitioners ’ ( GDPs ) st and ard ( control ) restorations . We conducted a split-mouth , r and omized control trial ( 132 children , aged 3 - 10 yrs , GDPs n = 17 ) in Scotl and . There were 264 study teeth with initial lesions , 42 % of which were radiographically > half-way into dentin , and 67 % of which had Class II restorations . Teeth were r and omized to HT ( intervention ) or GDPs ’ usual treatment ( control ) . Annual clinical /radiographic follow-up data were recorded . Ninety-one patients ( 69 % ) had 48 months ’ minimum follow-up . At 60 months , ‘ Major ’ failures ( irreversible pulpitis , loss of vitality , abscess , or unrestorable tooth ) were recorded : HT , 3 ( 3 % ) ; control restorations , 15 ( 16.5 % ) ( p = 0.000488 ; NNT 8) ; and ‘ Minor ’ failures ( reversible pulpitis , restoration loss/wear/fracture ; or secondary caries ) : HT , 4 ( 5 % ) ; control restorations , 38 ( 42 % ) ( p < 0.000001 ; NNT 3 ) . Overall , there were follow-up data for 130 patients ( 2 - 60 mos ) : ‘ Major ’ failures : HT , 3 ( 2 % ) ; control restorations , 22 ( 17 % ) ( p = 0.000004 ; NNT 7 ) ; and ‘ Minor ’ failures , HT , 7 ( 5 % ) ; control restorations , 60 ( 46 % ) ( p < 0.000001 ; NNT 3 ) . Sealing in caries by the Hall Technique statistically , and clinical ly , significantly outperformed GDPs ’ st and ard restorations in the long term ( Trial registration no. IS RCT N 47267892 )
Conclusions ART single-surface restorations  presented high survival percentages in both primary and permanent posterior teeth , whilst ART multiple-surface restorations presented lower survival percentages .
ART sealants presented a high-caries-preventive effect .
Clinical relevance ART is an effective evidence -based option for treating and preventing carious lesions in primary and permanent posterior teeth
Objective The aim of the present study is to up date the results of two previous meta-analyses , published in 2006 and 2012 , on the survival percentages of  atraumatic restorative treatment ( ART ) restorations and ART sealants .
The current meta- analysis includes Chinese publications not investigated before .