Four-year Outcomes of Class III and IV Anterior Restorations Based on a Subset of German Health Insurance Data

Numerous studies report on the outcome performance of posterior composite restorations. However, there are fewer studies providing data for anterior restorations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome performance of anterior permanent restorations by analyzing a large dataset from a German national health insurance company.

Routine claims data from a major German national health insurance company were assessed. Fee codes were used for tracing restoration careers on a day-count basis. The treatment was defined as a placed restoration (Class III and IV) on a mesial or distal tooth surface, irrespective of the extension. The restorations were placed between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013. Statistical analyses were conducted using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to determine cumulative 4-year survival rates. The primary outcome was re-intervention on the same surface. Secondary outcomes were crowning and extraction which were analyzed separately.

A total of 2,417,791 restorations involving mesial surfaces and a number of 2,409,031 restorations involving distal surfaces were observed. At 4 years, the cumulative survival rates concerning the primary outcome 're-intervention' were 79.9% for mesial and 80.9% for distal restorations. The respective annual failure rates (AFR) were 5.5% and 5.2%. Four-year survival rates for the secondary outcome 'crown' were 93.8% for mesial and 94.1% for distal anterior restorations. The respective AFRs were 1.6% and 1.5%. For the secondary outcome 'extraction,' the respective rates were 94.6% for mesial and 93.9% for distal restorations. The respective AFRs were 1.4% and 1.6%.

The performance of permanent anterior restorations which were placed in general dental practices in Germany can be rated as acceptable.