Placement and replacement of amalgam restorations in Italy

The reasons for placement and replacement and the longevity of amalgam restorations were recorded by 62 Italian private practitioners. The survey compiled 1935 amalgam restorations inserted due to primary caries (59%) and failed restorations (41%). The clinical diagnosis of secondary caries constituted 59% of failures of amalgam restorations. The age of 46% of the restorations needing replacement was noted. The median longevity was 4.7 years.