5-YEAR STUDY OF CLASS-II RESTORATIONS IN PERMANENT TEETH USING AMALGAM, GLASS POLYALKENOATE (IONOMER) CERMET AND RESIN-BASED COMPOSITE-MATERIALS

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical performance of an am algam, a glass polyalkenoate (ionomer) cermet material and a resin-bas ed composite material used in small Class II cavities in permanent tee th. All restorations were inserted under rubber dam. They were examine d yearly for 3 years. One clinician continued the study up to 5 years. The clinical examination focused on two criteria: clinically acceptab le and failure. In addition, impressions were taken of the prepared ca vities immediately before restoration and at each clinical examination using an elastomeric material. The study comprised 274 Class II resto rations (88 amalgams, 95 cermets and 91 resin composites) placed in 14 2 adolescent patients. One hundred and sixty-seven restorations were i n molar and 107 in premolar teeth. Patient dropout after 5 years resul ted in the loss of 161 restorations, evenly distributed for restorativ e material and type of tooth involved. Four amalgam restorations, 22 g lass ionomer cermet and nine resin composite restorations failed. The glass ionomer cermet and amalgam restorations failed primarily due to bulk fractures, while the resin composite restorations failed due to s econdary caries and bulk fractures.