title: Mechanical versus chemical retention for restoring complex restorations: what is the evidence?
abstract: This article reports the findings from a study conducted to answer this research question: can adhesive resin liners provide retention that is the same as dentinal pins or pots and slots when restoring complex amalgam restorations? The study methodology consisted of two components: a review of the literature and a survey to assess methods and materials that general practitioners use in their clinical practice for restoring complex amalgam restorations. Even though a vast majority of the general practitioners surveyed reported using dentinal pins or pots and slots, the occurrence or frequency of use was under 50 percent. It was also reported from the survey that over half the respondents are using adhesive resin liners exclusively when restoring complex restorations. New and improved materials allow general practitioners to restore complex restorations without the risks associated with the placement of pins or pots and slots. A review of the available literature indicates that adhesive resin liners may be used as an alternative or adjunct to mechanical retention. Because of the improvements of bonding strength of adhesive resin liners, dentinal pins and pots and slots should not be the only methods considered when faculty assist students in the development of treatment plans for patients who need complex amalgam restorations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Prosthodontics, and Restorative Dentistry, University of Louisville, School of Dentistry, 501 South Preston Street, Louisville, KY 40292, USA. rlvaug01@gwise.louisville.edu
authors.forename: Randall L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Vaught
mesh_terms: D003722:Dental Alloys; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003736:Dental Cavity Lining; D003772:Dental Pins; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents; D003814:Dentistry, Operative / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D008689:Methacrylates; D019279:Resin Cements
chemical_list: C070606:Amalgambond; D003722:Dental Alloys; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents; D008689:Methacrylates; D019279:Resin Cements; D003723:Dental Amalgam