title: Durability of restorations in primary molars.
abstract: Techniques used to restore carious primary molars have changed over the past decade as new adhesive materials have been developed. The most meaningful way of assessing the efficacy of a technique is by clinical trials. This article reviews the information concerning amalgam, composite and glass polyalkenoate (ionomer) cement as well as extracoronal restorations. Stainless steel/nickel chrome crowns provide the most durable restoration, often surviving until the tooth exfoliates. Class II amalgam restorations, whilst being prone to fracture, have been shown to survive about 3 years, a figure that improves with increasing age of the child and the use of local anaesthesia. Over the shorter term resin-based composites appear to be at least as durable as amalgam, particularly with respect to the maintenance of a good anatomical form. In contrast, when assessed at 6 years the failure rate of composite restorations is high, 62%, whereas the failure rate of amalgam restorations at 5 years is as low as 20%. Glass ionomer cements and cermets are alternative materials for use in the primary dentition. The reported success rate of 33% over 5 years for conventional glass ionomer cements is encouraging, however cermets appear to be less successful but have not been evaluated over the longer term. Glass ionomer cements provide a means of restoring primary molars with minimal amount of destruction of sound tooth tissue and reduced treatment time for the young patient, whilst the local fluoride release is also a potential advantage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors: Department of Child Dental Health, Dental School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors: N M
authors: NM
authors: Kilpatrick
mesh_terms: D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar; D013499:Surface Properties; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous
chemical_list: D003764:Dental Materials