title: Longevity of composite restorations in patients with early childhood caries (ECC).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the type and extent of composite fillings in a high risk pediatric caries population and analyze restoration survival probability in relation to severity of decay, Black classification, and composite type.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1,017 fillings in 855 primary teeth performed under general anesthesia from 2004-2007 were included into this study. All 157 patients had early childhood caries after the classification of Wyne and were recalled for at least 6 months. A total etch adhesive system, in combination with flowable and/or packable composites, was used. Failures were evaluated according to clinical criteria. Survival probability was calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean observation period for restorations was 30.9 months, with a success rate of 81.5 %. In 125 cases, restorations failed after an average retention time of 23.6 months, resulting in an annual failure rate of 4.2 %. The reasons for failure were fracture or partial failure (9.6 %), secondary caries (44 %), or complete restoration loss (46.4 %). Fillings in patients with severe decay had significantly lower survival probabilities. No significant differences were found between flowable and packable composites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Composite fillings are a long lasting, high-quality treatment option in pediatric patients with a high risk of caries who are treated under general anesthesia. A strict caries prevention regimen should be followed to minimize the loss of restorations caused by secondary caries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Composite fillings are a long lasting, high-quality treatment option in children with early childhood caries treated under general anesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Goethestrasse 70, 80336, Munich, Germany, kbuecher@dent.med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bücher
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tautz
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hickel
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kühnisch
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies