An 8 year old male patient complains of food lodgment in his lower right back tooth. On intra-oral examination, occlusal caries is seen with 46, which is non-tender on percussion. Multiple restorations are also seen. The dentist decides to use Ariston pHc for the restoration. The rationale for using this material could be?

Ariston pHc is a promising material for posterior restorations. We can recommend its use especially for the restoration of primary and young permanent teeth; this material does not require the acid-etching technique and thus the danger of dental pulp irritation by phosphoric acid is avoided. The application of Ariston pHc is not time consuming and this may be important in treatment of less cooperative children. Ariston pHc can also be used for preventive filling restorations. The advantage of this restorative material is that it releases fluoride, calcium and hydroxyl ions to the surroundings of the filling and thus provides additional caries protection. Note: The child shows multiple restorations and hence is susceptible to dental caries, in this situation anti-cariogenic activity of the material is the reason for its use. Ref: Kukletová M, Kuklová J, Christoforidis G. Ariston pHc restorative material. Clinical and morphological study. Scripta Medica (BRNO). 2003 Jan;76(1):39-48.