Review of bonded amalgam restorations, and assessment in a general practice over five years

This study reviewed the literature on bonded amalgam restorations and assessed the failure, marginal fracture and marginal staining behavior of 366 Permite C amalgam restorations lined with five dentin bonding resins (Scotchbond 2, Panavia Ex, Amalgambond, Amalgambond Plus, Geristore) and a polyamide cavity varnish (Barrier). The restorations were placed in the posterior permanent teeth of 190 adult patients and examined at intervals over periods of up to five years. There were five restoration failures (1.4%), usually from tooth fracture, involving Class II preparations in molar teeth. No instances of persistent pulpal sensitivity or recurrent caries were reported. The marginal deterioration of the restorations was assessed indirectly using photographs for comparison with two standard sets of enlarged color transparencies. Most of the marginal fracture and marginal staining scores were low, with little difference between the six lining materials at any period.