Restorative treatment pattern and longevity of resin restorations in Denmark

A survey has been made of the reasons for placement and replacement of 883 resin restorations in Denmark. In patients more than 16 years of age 39% of all restorations were made because of primary caries, and 61% were replacements of failed restorations. In primary teeth 63% and in permanent teeth of children 65% of the restorations were made because of primary caries. The reasons for replacement of restorations were dependent on dentition, age of the patient, and type of restoration. Secondary caries, loss of fillings, and marginal discrepancies were the most frequently recorded reasons for replacement of failed resin restorations. The age of the restorations replaced ranged from 0 to 15 years, and half of the replaced resin restorations in adults were just over 6 years old. In permanent teeth in children half of the failed restorations were replaced within 2 years, whereas half of those in primary teeth were replaced within 1 year. Information on a selected material of old silicate cement restorations in adults showed that two-thirds of these were replaced owing to marginal discrepancies and lost fillings.