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Updated: Jan 1, 2026
Detection and Removal of Tooth-Colored Composite Resin Using the Fluorescence-Aided Identification Technique
Published on: July 27, 2022
Survival of composite restorations after selective or total caries removal in primary teeth and predictors of
J Liberman1, R Franzon2, L F Guimarães2
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to assess the survival of composite restorations after selective (SCR) or total caries removal (TCR) and determine predictors of failures after 36 months.
Methods:
120 teeth with deep occlusal or occlusal-proximal carious lesions were randomly divided into control (TCR; n = 54; 69% Class II) and test (SCR; n = 66; 63% Class II) groups. Clinical evaluation was applied using the USPHS criteria, and the presence of Charlie or Delta scores at the marginal integrity were considered as a failure.
Results:
The overall survival rate of restorations was 68% after 36 months, 81% for TCR and 57% for SCR (p = 0.004). The multivariable Cox Regression model demonstrated that restorations performed after SCR had 3.44 times greater probability of failure compared to TCR (p = 0.006). The other two predictors for failure of restorations were teeth with Class II cavities (hazard ratio = 3.3) and children with gingival bleeding over 20% (hazard ratio = 2.5).
Conclusions:
Performing composite restorations after SCR in primary teeth had success rate significantly lower than restorations performed after TCR. Complex cavities and worst patient´s oral hygiene were found to be predictors of failure of restorations.
Clinical Significance:
Although SCR has been demonstrating high rates of pulp preservation, clinicians should consider that composite restorations fail in a higher frequency compared to TCR in primary teeth and, in some circumstances, may be preferable in terms of restoration longevity.
