A study assessed the 18-year survival of posterior composite resin restorations with and without a base of glass ionomer (GI) cement. Conducted by van de Sande et al, data were retrieved retrospectively from one dental practice, with the presence or absence of an intermediate layer of GI cement being the main factor under analysis. The outcomes considered were survival, annual failure rate, and types of failure of the restorations. Other investigated factors were patient gender, jaw, tooth, number of restored surfaces, and composite.
The study analyzed a total of 632 restorations in 97 patients, and found that annual failure rates percentages up to 18 years were 1.9% and 2.1% for restorations with and without base, respectively. In restorations with GI cement bases, fracture was the predominant reason for failure, corresponding to 57.8% of total failures. Failure type distribution was different (P = .007) comparing restorations with and without base, but no effect in the overall survival of restorations was found (P = .313). The study concluded that the presence of a GI cement base did not affect the survival of resin-composite restorations in the investigated sample. Acceptable annual failure rates after 18 years can be achieved with both techniques, leading to the perspective that an intermediate layer, placed during an interim treatment, may be maintained without clinical detriment, but no improvement in survival should be expected.
(Source: Dental Materials, April 24, 2015)
