The caries status of tooth-coloured restorations with marginal stain

The purpose of this study was to examine histologically teeth containing 27 tooth-coloured restorations with both stained and unstained margins for comparison of their caries status. Histological examination of 56 cavity margins showed that early caries lesions were present adjacent to many stained and unstained margins, but were more likely to be present in the outer enamel and the enamel of the cavity wall where the margin was stained. Thus, the development of staining at the margin of the restoration is likely to indicate caries and the appropriate preventive measures should be instituted.