Restorative material for children's teeth: preferences of parents and children

The purpose of the study was to assess the preferences of parents and children regarding amalgam or tooth colored restoration material for the children's teeth and some associated factors. One hundred and 24 children aged 4 to 12 years of age (Mean age-7.3 +/- 2.4) who needed at least 1 dental restoration were selected for the study. After a dental examination, the parents were asked to complete a questionnaire requesting demographic information, preference of restoration material for their children's teeth, and influencing factors. The children were then asked to answer questions on which material they preferred and what influenced their decision. More parents preferred tooth colored restorations to amalgam restorations for their children's teeth. However, 12 percent of the parents preferred amalgam. For 40 percent of the parents, the restoration material did not matter. For most parents (76 percent), whether the tooth was primary or permanent did not influence their choice. The highest concern was given to the implications of a restoration material on the health of the body or the tooth. Half of the children preferred tooth colored restorations. For nearly 30 percent, the restoration material did not matter. Significantly, more younger children than older children noted the filling's visual prominence as an important factor (30 percent and 3 percent, respectively). Younger children were more influenced by their parents' preferences than older children. It is concluded that tooth colored restorations are preferred to amalgam by both parents and children.