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Published on: July 21, 2014
Five-year clinical performance of posterior resin composite restorations placed by dental students
N J M Opdam1, B A C Loomans, F J M Roeters
1Department of Cariology and Endodontology, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, HB Nijmegen 6500, The Netherlands. n.opdam@dent.umcn.nl
Objectives:
To investigate the survival over a five-year period of posterior resin composite restorations placed by students.
Methods:
Class I and II resin composite restorations placed by second-fourth year dental students were evaluated. Patients attended the dental school every 6 months for a regular check-up during which all restorations were checked on their clinical acceptability. In case of replacement or repair of a restoration, this was registered in the patient's record. From each record the survival time and reasons for failure of resin composite restorations were gathered.
Results:
Seven-hundred three posterior resin composite restorations in 382 patients (49% female and 51% male, age 22-78) were evaluated. At 5 years 560 of the 703 restorations were still considered to be "clinically acceptable". Forty-nine restorations were considered as "functionally present", of which 44 were restored with a crown and four had received a new restoration adjacent to the existing restoration without its removal. Ninety-four restorations had failed. The main reasons for failure were restoration fracture, caries, endodontic treatment, defective margin and lack of proximal contact. The survival rate of the restorations was 87% at 5 years, resulting in an annual failure rate of 2.8%.
Conclusions:
Dental students are able to place resin composite restorations in posterior teeth with an acceptable mean annual failure rate.