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Faculty differences in replacement decisions for amalgam restorations
D B Nuckles1, W D Sneed, J B Bayme
1Department of Operative Dentistry, Medical University of South Carolina, College of Dental Medicine, Charleston.
Quintessence International (Berlin, Germany : 1985)
|July 1, 1991
Summary
Dental students replaced nearly 1,000 amalgam surfaces over 15 weeks. Marginal breakdown and decay were the main reasons for replacing these dental fillings.
Area of Science:
- Dental materials science
- Clinical dentistry
- Restorative dentistry
Background:
- Amalgam restorations are widely used in dentistry.
- Understanding reasons for amalgam replacement is crucial for clinical practice and material development.
- Student-led procedures offer insights into common restorative challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the reasons and extent of amalgam restoration replacement by dental students.
- To identify the most frequent causes necessitating amalgam removal in a clinical setting.
- To document the number of amalgam surfaces and teeth addressed during the study period.
Main Methods:
- A 15-week observational study involving six faculty supervisors and clinical dental students.
- Systematic recording of tooth numbers, replaced amalgam surfaces, and reasons for replacement.
- Data collection on instructor supervision and student performance.
Main Results:
- A total of 956 amalgam surfaces were removed from 436 teeth.
- The primary indications for replacement were marginal breakdown (69%) and secondary caries (33%).
- Data on specific teeth and instructors were also collected and analyzed.
Conclusions:
- Marginal breakdown and caries are the predominant factors driving amalgam restoration replacement by dental students.
- These findings highlight the importance of monitoring restoration integrity and early caries detection in dental education.
- The study provides valuable data on the practical challenges encountered in amalgam replacement procedures.