Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Evaluating the Effects of Different Polishing Methods on Color Stability of Dental Restorations in Pediatric Dentistry
Published on: June 6, 2025
An up to 3-year randomized clinical study comparing indirect and direct resin composites used to restore worn
David Bartlett1, Geeta Sundaram
1Department of Prosthodontics, Floor 25, King's College London Dental Institute, Guy's Tower, London Bridge SE1 9RT, London, United Kingdom. David.bartlett@kcl.ac.uk
Purpose:
To compare a developmental indirect resin composite with an established, microfilled directly placed resin composite used to restore severely worn teeth. The cause of the tooth wear was a combination of erosion and attrition.
Materials And Methods:
Over a 3-year period, a total of 32 paired direct or indirect microfilled resin composite restorations were placed on premolars and molars in 16 patients (mean age: 43 years, range: 25 to 62) with severe tooth wear. A further 26 pairs of resin composite were placed in 13 controls (mean age: 39 years, range 28 to 65) without evidence of tooth wear. The material was randomly selected for placement in the left or right sides of the mouth.
Results:
Sixteen restorations were retained in the tooth wear group (7 indirect and 9 direct), 7 (22%) fractured (4 indirect and 3 direct), and 9 (28%) were completely lost (5 indirect and 4 direct). There was no statistically significant difference in failure rates between the materials in this group. The control group had 21 restorations (80%) that were retained (10 indirect and 12 direct), a significantly lower rate of failure than in the tooth wear patients (P = .027).
Conclusion:
The results of this short-term study suggest that the use of direct and indirect resin composites for restoring worn posterior teeth is contraindicated.
