Restorative treatment provided over five years for adults regularly attending general dental practice

To investigate the distribution and type of restorative treatment, including re-treatment, provided for adults who attend annually.

In 1991 a selected group of 24 general dental practitioners in the North West of England recruited 4211 of their regularly attending adult patients. Dentists recorded the reason for and type of treatment provided during the following 5 years.

Approximately 40% of the participants received treatment (restorations and/ or extractions) at each annual examination. Of the 2293 patients who attended every examination 1959 (85%) had received a restoration and/ or extraction during the 5 years. A total of 8187 teeth, 15% of those present at baseline, received treatment, 3030 (37%) for caries and 5157 (63%) for other reasons. The proportion of adults who received treatment by age group differed significantly with those aged 25-34 years (80%) being least likely and those 35-44 years of age (89%) most likely. Of the 1744 teeth restored in the first year of the study, 170 (10%) were retreated within 1 year and 402 (23%) during the subsequent 4 years. The 4 year survival of amalgam and tooth coloured fillings was 84% and that of crowns 92%.

This study documented the extent and type of restorative care provided for regularly attending adults during a 5-year period. The majority of treatment was provided for reasons other than caries. Of the teeth restored over the first year, 23% were retreated in the subsequent 4 years.