2-YEAR CLINICAL-EVALUATION OF A GALLIUM RESTORATIVE ALLOY

Purpose: To assess the clinical performance of 2-year old gallium allo y restorations. Parameters evaluated include: (1) fracture at the marg ins, (2) tarnish, (3) surface roughness, (4) tooth fracture, (5) fract ure through the body of the restoration, and (6) any medical or dental conditions arising during the study. Materials and Methods: Nine pati ents received 30 Class I restorations of Galley gallium alloy. These w ere placed as conservatively as possible under a rubber dam. Fifteen o f the preparations were lined with a Bis-GMA resin to seal the restora tion from moisture. The other 15 preparations were sealed with Amalgam bond. After placement of the gallium alloy, the ex posed surfaces of a ll restorations were sealed with the Bis-GMA resin, and the occlusion was checked. The restorations were examined at 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 mo nths, 1 year and 2 years. Results: At the 2-year recall, all restorati ons were intact with the exception of one tooth fracture (cause unknow n). Forty-five percent of the restorations exhibited tarnish and 60% h ad a rough surface. The fracture at the margins of these restorations was minimal, and no significant difference could be found between thos e using Amalgambond and those sealed with the resin system. No medical problems were reported by the patients, and postoperative sensitivity was minimal.