The effect of different types of composite resin fillings on marginal gingiva

Earlier studies of plaque accumulation on and gingival response around conventional composite resin fillings have produced conflicting results. No studies have been found in which the gingival reaction around newer types of resin fillings had been recorded. The aim of this study was to measure plaque retention and gingival conditions around in vivo, aged, subgingivally located, composite fillings of conventional, hybrid and microfiller types. This study was performed in 2 groups of patients. In the 1st group, there were 108 1-year-old class-III restorations of the 3 composite types and in the 2nd group, 228 3- or 4-year-old class-III or class-IV fillings. Plaque and gingival index scores and the amount of crevicular fluid were recorded. In the group with 1-year-old fillings, the composite resins did not adversely affect the health of the gingival tissues. The amount of plaque on and the degree of gingivitis around the composite fillings were not significantly higher than those for the enamel surfaces. Significant differences in the amount of crevicular fluid were found between both the conventional and hybrid composites and the enamel. In the groups with 3-4 year-old fillings, the indices for each material were significantly higher than those for the enamel surfaces and the fillings showed greater amounts of plaque and a higher degree of gingivitis than the 1-year-old fillings. Differences among the 3 types of composite resins were minimal in both groups and not statistically significant.