Hand-Mixed or Capsule: Glass Ionomer Waste and Restorations per Kit in Atraumatic Restorative Treatment

Atraumatic restorative treatment depends on glass ionomer, bought either as powder and liquid for hand mixing or as pre-dosed capsules. This study compares the two routes at stated values: a restoration needs 0.20 g of mixed material; hand mixing prepares 0.35 g per attempt with 12 percent of mixes discarded for ratio failure; a capsule delivers 0.40 g with 2 percent failure. A 50 g hand-mix kit at USD 28 yields about 126 successful restorations at USD 0.22 each, while a box of 50 capsules at USD 42 yields 49 at USD 0.86 each. Hand mixing wastes 42.9 percent of its material as over-mix. Capsules buy consistency, not economy. This study is simulated, not measured. SIMULATED, NOT MEASURED.