One-year retrospective clinical evaluation of hybrid composite restorations placed in United Kingdom general practices

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess Pertac II restorations p laced in general dental practice. Method and materials: A total of 86 resto rations (14 Class I, 16 Class II, 17 Class III, 5 Class IV, and 40 Class V) using a hybrid composite material (Pertac II) placed in 56 patients (mean age, 39 years) in 5 dental practices in the United Kingdom were assessed af ter 1 year by a trained evaluator and the dental practitioner who had place d the restoration. All the restorations were assessed for anatomic form, ma rginal adaptation, surface roughness, sensitivity or discomfort, gingival c ondition, and the presence or absence of secondary caries. Results: Thirty- five (43%) restorations were placed in load-bearing situations, 9% of which were assessed as being in "heavy" occlusion. Five (6%) of the restorations were lost (all Class V restorations), 4 from premolars and 1 from a molar. Four were in wedge-shaped cavities and 1 small restoration was actually di slodged during examination. The remaining 81 (94%) restorations were found to be intact, with no secondary caries detected. A high percentage of optim al scores were recorded for both anatomic form and surface roughness. Concl usion: It is concluded that the evaluation demonstrated satisfactory clinic al performance of Pertac II restorations after 1 year of clinical service i n the wide variety of clinical situations seen in general dental practice. However, the potential for failure of hybrid composite materials in Class V situations appears high. It may be argued that clinicians who wish to use a resin-based material in a Class V situation should use a compomer or micr ofilled composite.