Composite restorations for primary molars: results after four years.

Two composite resins (Ful-Fil ® and X-55®) were placed in the primary molars of 50 children aged 4 to 8 years. A total of 357 restorations were placed in 3 different cavity preparations. The restorations were evaluated by 2 investigators at 0, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months using the USPHS evaluation criteria. At 48 months 130 restorations were available for evaluation. This represents a recall rate of 36.4%; however, discountirtg the 169 restorations that were in teeth that exfoliated, the recall rate was 83.3%. Statistically significant changes occurred in the color match category for both materials as well as the marginal integrity of the X-55 material. All other category changes were not statistically significant. At 48 months a total of 39 failures had occurred for an overall failure rate of 10.9% (39/357). Seven restorations failed between 36 and 48 months. The failure rate for conventional preparations was 8.2% (9/110), for conventional bevel 6.7% (8/119), and modified preparations 17.8% (22/128). Because amalgam exhibits undesirable esthetic qualities and serves as a possible reservoir for the systemic absorption of undesirable mercury (Abraham et al. 1984; Vimy and Lorscheider 1985), investigators have focused their research on the use of composite resin for the restoration of posterior teeth. In 1982 the Council on Dental Materials, Instruments, and Equipment of the American Dental Association accepted revised guidelines for the use of composite resin for Class I and Class II restorations (ADA Council on Dental Materials, Instruments and Equipment 1982). Since then, several clinical studies have been submitted for approval by the ADA. As of May, 1986, 4 composites had been accepted for provisional approval for use in posterior teeth (ADA Council on Dental Materials Instruments and Equipment 1986). In 1986, Ful-Fil ® was granted full acceptance for use in primary molar teeth. This study presents the 4-year results of a clinical trial examining the use of Ful-Fil in primary molars. Another experimental resin (X55®) also was examined in this study.