Long-term clinical performance of heat-cured high-viscosity glass ionomer class II restorations versus resin-based composites in primary molars: a randomized comparison trial

To evaluate the long-term clinical performance of heat-cured high-viscosity glass ionomer (GIC) and posterior composite resin (CR) restorations in primary molars over a 3-year period.

Photographs and radiographs of EQUIA GIC and Filtek™ P60 restorations were assessed. Study sample is comprised of healthy preschool/school children with proximal surface caries in primary molars.

70 GI restorations were placed in 45 patients (aged 78 months ± 25) and were evaluated at 33 months ± 7. 61 composite resin restorations were placed in 42 patients (age 82 months ± 19) and were evaluated at 39 months ± 13. GI restorations failure was 17.1%, a significantly greater rate compared with 4.9% in the CR group. GI failures were due to either significant loss of the restoration or to loss of marginal ridge integrity. CR failures were due to loss of marginal ridge integrity.

Both GI and CR restorations were clinically successful during a 3-year period. GI restorations may be considered as an intermediate-lasting restoration option for proximal lesions in primary molars, with 83% of the restorations functioning up to 36 months. CR restorations showed a higher success rate than GIC during the same period.