Clinical performance evaluation of a packable posterior composite in bulk-cured restorations.
BACKGROUND
The authors evaluated the clinical performance of Prodigy Condensable (Kerr, Orange, Calif.) composite placed and cured in increments up to 5 millimeters thick.


METHODS
The authors placed 57 Class II restorations in 32 patients in composite increments up to 5 mm thick. Using this technique, they placed the majority of restorations in one increment and then carved the occlusal and proximal anatomy before light curing. The authors evaluated the restorations at three, six, 12, 24 and 36 months.


RESULTS
No restorations required replacement; however, 11 developed a defect requiring repair or continued observation. Of these 11, nine restorations developed defects on the margins of the restorations and two developed secondary caries. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of probability that a restoration would develop a defect during 36 months that would require immediate repair was 0.13. Postoperative sensitivity was not significantly different from preoperative sensitivity.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors found that no restorations required replacement and no increased postoperative sensitivity occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors suggest that this composite material can be placed in a single increment up to 5 mm thick for Class II restorations.
Sarrett
David C
DC
Virginia Commonwealth University, 1012 E. Marshall St., P.O. Box 980549, Richmond, VA 23298-0549, USA. dcsarrett@vcu.edu
Brooks
Carol N
CN
Rose
Jennifer T
JT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D003116:Color; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000592:standards; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D017269:Dental Prosthesis Repair; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008029:Lighting / Q000295:instrumentation; D008422:Materials Testing; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
D003188:Composite Resins; D008689:Methacrylates; C428805:OptiBond SOLO; C477351:Prodigy Condensable; D019279:Resin Cements; D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate