title: Restoration of small proximal dentin lesions with the tunnel technique. A 3-year clinical study performed in Public Dental Service clinics.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the 3-year performance of tunnel restorations in Public Dental Service clinics in the county of Blekinge, Sweden. The restorations were made at the indication of a radiographically observed small proximal caries lesion extending into the outer part of dentin in permanent premolars and molars. A total of 302 restorations made by 17 dentists were evaluated 1 yr, 2 yrs and 3 yrs after placement using modified USPHS criteria. The preparations were filled with a cermet glass polyalkenoate cement (Ketac Silver, ESPE Gmbh, Germany). Evaluation was carried out by clinical and radiographical means. The percentage of successful and acceptable restorations was 92.7% after 1 yr, 89.5% after 2 yrs and 84.3% after 3 yrs. Eight % of the restorations failed due to caries, 6% fractured and 1% were replaced due to deep margin discoloration. The results indicate that tunnel restoration is a useful technique in small proximal dentin lesions in permanent premolars and molars.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Blekinge County Council, Karlskrona, Sweden.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holst
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brännström
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001641:Bicuspid; D016722:Cermet Cements; D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy*; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000379:methods*; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods*; D003804:Dentin; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care
chemical_list: D016722:Cermet Cements