Factors influencing the selection of restorative materials in dental care in Finland.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing the selection of restorative materials.


METHODS
In 1992, a random sample of Finnish dentists working in the public and private health care sectors were asked to provide information on restorative treatments during a given period. The study material consisted of 9886 restorations placed by 855 dentists.


RESULTS
The results indicate that private practitioners sought the opinions of their adult patients regarding the selection of restorative material more frequently (26% of restorative treatments) than their colleagues working in the public sector (11%; P < 0.001). The frequency of resin composite restorations increased and that of amalgam and glass ionomer restorations decreased when the patients' opinions were sought. Forty percent of restorations provided by public dentists and 69% of those completed by private practitioners were replacement restorations (P > 0.001). Secondary caries was the main reason for the replacement of amalgam restorations, whereas fractures of the teeth and restorations were the main reasons for the replacement of resin composite restorations.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that patients' opinions have a strong influence on the selection of restorative materials. A large proportion of the restorative treatment studied comprised replacement restorations.
Forss
H
H
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Kuopio, Finland.
Widström
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003188:Composite Resins; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D003764:Dental Materials; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation; D011331:Private Practice; D011636:Public Health Dentistry; D012086:Reoperation; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; D003723:Dental Amalgam