The integrity of bonded amalgam restorations: a clinical evaluation after five years.
BACKGROUND
Bonded amalgam restorations have been studied extensively in vitro, but few long term clinical studies exist. The authors examined the clinical performance of bonded amalgam restorations after five years of clinical service an compared it with that of nonbonded amalgam restorations.


METHODS
The authors placed 75 bonded and 62 nonbonded amalgam restorations in patients needing restorations. Most of the restorations were placed in conventional preparations; six bonded restorations were placed in nonretentive cavities. They were evaluated after a five-year period of clinical service by two trained dentists using a mirror and explorer and following modified U.S. Public Health Service criteria.


RESULTS
Statistical analysis (via Fisher exact test) showed no significant differences between the two techniques when conventional preparations were used. Restorations in nonretentive preparations were successful during this period.


CONCLUSIONS
Bonded and nonbonded amalgam restorations yielded similar results in conventional preparations after five years of clinical service. Bonded amalgam restorations were clinically successful in a limited number of nonretentive preparations over a five-year period.


CONCLUSIONS
Bonded amalgam restorations can be used successfully in conventional preparations and possibly in nonretentive preparations as well, and can be expected to last at least five years.
Mach
Zbynek
Z
University of California San Francisco School of Dentistry, 94143-0758, USA.
Regent
Jan
J
Staninec
Michal
M
Mrklas
Lubor
L
Setcos
James C
JC
D003723:Dental Amalgam; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003723:Dental Amalgam