[Inspection of 1 to 5-year-old amalgam, composite, and cast gold fillings]

On 103 randomly chosen patients composite-, amalgam-, and cast gold fillings were checked and examined after various criteria. Also, the gingival changes were noted and vitality tests made. As was to be expected, composites, particularly class 2-fillings, showed more loss of substance than amalgams. The latter, however, had a worsening marginal adaptation with increasing age. Secondary caries was generally more frequent in subgingival fillings. The quality of the material was of smaller importance than the marginal leakage. Inflammatory processes of the gingiva were more frequent with composites than with inlays. Gradually increasing discolorations were the rule. Very few teeth lost their vitality after treatment, irrespective of the bases (normal, direct and indirect capping).