An evaluation of replacement rates for posterior resin-based composite and amalgam restorations in U.S. Navy and marine corps recruits.
BACKGROUND
Restoration replacement is a clinical concern that has not been studied among military personnel. The authors determined the prevalence of placement of posterior amalgam and resin-based composite restorations and the incidence of replacement among U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel.


METHODS
The authors analyzed dental records from 2,780 personnel to determine the relative risk of replacement for initially sound restorations during subjects' first years of military service.


RESULTS
At the initial examination, 964 (15.2 percent) of amalgam restorations and 199 (17.4 percent) of resin-based composite restorations required re-treatment. Of those judged clinically acceptable, 14.2 percent of amalgam and 16.7 percent of resin-based composite restorations required replacement during the observation period. The authors found significant increases in replacement rates for resin-based composite restorations compared with amalgam restorations for replacement due to all causes (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.28; P < .05), as well as for replacement due to restoration failure (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.64; P < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
About 30 percent of posterior restorations required replacement, either at the initial examination or during the subjects' first years of military service. In a young military population, significantly more resin-based composite restorations in place at the initial examination will require replacement than will amalgam restorations. Multi-surface restorations had higher rates of replacement than did one-surface restorations, and subjects at high caries risk experienced significantly higher replacement rates than did those at low caries risk.


CONCLUSIONS
The number of surfaces restored and subjects' caries risk status may influence the longevity of resin-based composite and amalgam restorations.
Simecek
John W
JW
General Dynamics Information Technology, Naval Institute for Dental and Biomedical Research, Great Lakes, IL 60088, USA. john.simecek@med.navy.mil
Diefenderfer
Kim E
KE
Cohen
Mark E
ME
D015331:Cohort Studies; D003188:Composite Resins; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy*; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008885:Military Dentistry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008963:Molar; D019233:Retreatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
D003188:Composite Resins; D003723:Dental Amalgam