Replacement of resin-based composite restorations in permanent teeth.

OBJECTIVE To determine the reasons for replacement of composite resin restorations and evaluate the association between the reasons for replacement of restorations with gender, duration of failure and different class of cavities. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Operative Department of Fatima Jinnah Dental Hospital, Karachi, from January to May 2009. METHODOLOGY Patients were selected randomly who had presented with post restoration complaint after composite filling. Specially designed proformas were used to get the information such as the name of the patient, age, gender, teeth in need for replacement of restorations, age of the replaced restorations, and the reasons for replacement. The criteria for replacement of composite restorations were secondary caries, discoloration, improper proximal contact, fractured restoration and gingival irritation due to overhang. The significance of results was obtained by applying chi-square test. RESULTS A total of 413 patients ranging in age from 17 to 63 years were examined; 263 were males while 150 were females. Secondary caries (52.3%) was the most frequent reason for replacement of restorations in permanent teeth followed by discoloration (16.9%) and fracture of fillings (12.6%). Chi-square test shows significant relationship between gender and reasons for replacement (p < 0.001). Highly significant difference was found between different class of cavities and reasons for replacement of composite fillings (p < 0.001). The median longevity of the replaced composite restorations was about 3 years. CONCLUSION Secondary caries was the most common reason for replacement of composite fillings. The median longevity in this sample was calculated to be 3.0 years.