Restorative caries therapy in nursing home residents using composite resins and compomers without a rubber dam

This study was designed to investigate the prognosis of restorative caries therapy applied in nursing home residents.

In 25 consecutive patients a total of 42 restorations were placed, 23 of composite resin (APX/SE Bond) and 19 of compomer (Dyract). The working conditions, such as patient cooperation, quantity of saliva, location of cavity margins, cavity size, and gingival inflammation, were evaluated prior to treatment. The restorations were evaluated qualitatively at baseline, after 6 months, and after 12 months.

At 12 months, all examined restorations were clinically acceptable (6 patients had died). There was no significant difference between the quality of the restorations in composite resin and compomer. The plaque scores increased significantly during the study period.

The study showed that, within the limitation of a short-term follow-up, restorative caries therapy using composite resin or compomer was successful in nursing home residents although rubber dam was not used.