title: Clinical performance and caries inhibition of resin-modified glass ionomer cement and amalgam restorations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The authors clinically examined two restorative materials to evaluate their effectiveness in Class II restorations in primary molars and their ability to inhibit recurrent caries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty subjects, each in need of two Class II restorations in primary molars, took part in this study. Each patient received one Class II restoration of resin-modified glass ionomer cement and one of amalgam. The authors evaluated the restorations at six-month, one-year, two-year and three-year recall appointments. On exfoliation, teeth with experimental restorations were retrieved and microscopically examined for inhibition of demineralization at restoration margins.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the clinical evaluation demonstrated no significant differences between the resin-modified glass ionomer cement restorations and the amalgam restorations (P < .05). Polarized light microscopic examination of the returned teeth that were restored as a part of this study indicated that the resin-modified glass ionomer cement had significantly less enamel demineralization at restoration margins than did amalgam (P < .0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The resin-modified glass ionomer cement functioned clinically as well as amalgam for Class II restorations in primary molars. However, the resin-modified glass ionomer exhibited significantly less enamel demineralization at restoration margins than did amalgam.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Resin-modified glass ionomer cement restorative material functions well for Class II restorations in primary molars and exhibits less recurrent caries at restoration margins than does amalgam.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio 78284-7888, USA.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Donly
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Segura
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanellis
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Erickson
mesh_terms: D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000473:pathology; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003188:Composite Resins; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; C084550:Vitremer; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D005459:Fluorides