Survival of Direct Posterior Composites With and Without a Bulk Fill Base

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Clinical Dentistry
• Restorative Dentistry

Background:

• Direct composite restorations are widely used in general dental practice.
• Flowable bulk-fill materials like SDR (Dentsply) are designed to reduce polymerization stress.
• This study audits the clinical performance of SDR as a bulk-fill base material.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the survival rates and failure modes of direct composite restorations using SDR bulk-fill base versus conventional layering techniques.
• To evaluate post-operative sensitivity and identify factors influencing restoration failure.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective audit of 125 direct composite restorations placed by a single operator.
• Group G: Conventional layering composite (G-aenial, GC).
• Group S: Bulk-fill base of SDR (Dentsply) covered with G-aenial (GC).
• Data collected included survival, post-operative sensitivity, and mode of failure over a minimum of 24 months.

Main Results:

• Survival rates were comparable: 92.6% for Group S and 93% for Group G.
• Group S restorations showed a significantly higher incidence of tooth fracture (p=0.033).
• Restoration failure in both groups was more likely in larger cavities, with more surfaces involved, and with cuspal coverage.

Conclusions:

• Both techniques demonstrate similar short-term survival rates for direct composite restorations.
• A significantly higher rate of tooth fracture was observed with the SDR bulk-fill base technique.
• Further investigation into the long-term implications and fracture risk associated with SDR is warranted.