Sealed restorations: 5-year results

This clinical study determined the feasibility of a sealed resin composite restoration to arrest dental caries using a minimal tooth preparation: a bevel in enamel only without removal of the carious lesion. These ultra-conservative sealed composite restorations placed over caries (CompS/C) were compared with ultra-conservative sealed amalgam restorations (AGS) that had no "extension for prevention". The CompS/C restorations were also compared with the traditional (unsealed) amalgam restorations (AGU) with the "extension for prevention" outline form. Caries progress, as determined by standardized radiographs, revealed that after 5 years caries remained arrested under the CompS/C restorations; the marginal integrity was similar for the CompS/C and the AGS groups, and exhibited highly significant superiority to the AGU restorations (Chi square, P less than = 0.00004). Complete sealant retention over the amalgam restorations (AGS group) was less than over the composite restorations (CompS/C), and conversely, partial sealant retention was higher for the AGS group. Sealants also appeared to protect the posterior composite restorations against wear.