Direct posterior composite restorations with a new adhesive system: one-year results

Syntac Sprint is a new one-bottle adhesive based on the total-etch and total-bond technique. The aim of this study was to compare the new restorative system consisting of Syntac Sprint and the resin composite Tetric Ceram with the clinically proven combination of the dentin adhesive Syntac Classic and the resin composite Tetric.

In a controlled prospective clinical study, 47 cavities (36 premolars, 11 molars; 29 maxillary, 17 mandibular; 6 occlusal, 33 occluso-approximal, 7 MOD, 1 > 3 surfaces) in 33 patients (17 female, 16 male) were filled. Twenty-five fillings were placed with the combination Syntac Sprint/Tetric Ceram under total etching and total bonding conditions. In thirteen restorations, Syntac Sprint was precured prior to the application of the resin composite; in the other twelve cases, restoration and adhesive were cured simultaneously. The control group consisted of 22 cavities restored with Syntac Classic plus the composite Tetric. At baseline and after 6 and 12 months, two calibrated investigators examined the restorations with modified USPHS codes and criteria.

The criteria marginal integrity and integrity of the tooth deteriorated significantly between the baseline and the 6- and 12-month investigations (Friedman 2-way ANOVA; p < 0.05). No differences were found in the criteria surface roughness, color matching, anatomic form, step formation, integrity of the filling, proximal contact, hypersensitivity, or satisfaction. After one year, all fillings were in good condition. There was no significant difference between the Syntac Sprint/Tetric Ceram and Syntac Classic/Tetric groups for any criterion (Kruskal-Wallis; p > 0.05).

Within the limits of this study, Tetric Ceram fillings in combination with Syntac Sprint were clinically successful after one year.