Clinical evaluation of paired compomer and glass ionomer restorations in primary molars: final results after 42 months

Objectives To undertake a clinical trial comparing the efficiency of a comp omer restoration with a glass ionomer restoration in the management of cari es in primary molar teeth. Design Subjects were admitted to the trial if they required at least one pa ir of restorations in primary molar teeth. Setting Department of Child Dental Health, Newcastle Dental Hospital and Sc hool Subject Twenty nine children, aged 4-9 years, had 56 pairs of restorations placed between January 1995 and November 1997. Method The durability of the restorations was assessed during a 42-month fo llow-up period using modified United States Public Health Service criteria. Survival analysis and the McNemar paired test were used to compare the per formance of the two restorative materials. Results The compomer restorations had a higher mean survival time (42 month s, SE 1.40) compared with 37 months (SE 1.90) for the glass ionomer restora tions and this was significant at the 5% level. The compomer also performed significantly better in terms of anatomical form, marginal integrity, cave surface discoloration and maintenance of interproximal contact. Conclusions The present trial demonstrated that Dyract compomer performed s ignificantly better than Chemfil Superior a glass ionomer cement for all mo dified United States Public Health Service criteria over a period of 42 mon ths.