SAUCER-SHAPED CAVITY PREPARATIONS FOR POSTERIOR APPROXIMAL RESIN COMPOSITE RESTORATIONS - OBSERVATIONS UP TO 10 YEARS

Objective: This clinical trial aimed at studying the long-term perform ance in routine clinical practice of saucer-shaped Class II resin comp osite restorations. Methods and materials: Fifty-one preparations were completed and filled with either of two light-cured posterior composi tes by seven dentists of the Public Dental Service. The restorations w ere evaluated annually, using the US Public Health Service criteria, b itewing radiographs, and dies based on replica impressions. At the fin al evaluation, the recall rate was 100%. Results: After the mean of 7. 2 +/- 1.3 years of service (censored maximum of 9.6 years), 70% of the restorations were acceptable for continued use. Caries and technical deficiencies were the main causes of failure. Conclusion: The saucer c onfiguration, by respecting and utilizing inherent properties of the r esin composites, spares sound dentin and is preferable to the box prep aration.