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Amalgam restoration and in vitro caries formation
1Dental Research Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
|February 1, 1995
Summary
Selecting appropriate dental restorative materials, such as low copper amalgam and calcium hydroxide base, can significantly minimize secondary caries lesion size. Careful material selection is key to preventing caries progression around restorations.
Area of Science:
- Dental Materials Science
- Cariology
- Restorative Dentistry
Background:
- Secondary caries is a primary cause of dental restoration failure.
- Understanding factors influencing secondary caries formation is crucial for improving restoration longevity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of different dental restorative materials and aging on secondary caries development in vitro.
- To compare lesion progression under bacterial challenge versus acidic challenge.
Main Methods:
- Class I cavity preparations were made in human premolars and restored with various amalgam/base combinations.
- Teeth were aged, then subjected to in vitro bacterial or acidic challenge.
- Carious lesion sizes were measured using polarized light microscopy.
Main Results:
- Bacterial challenge produced significantly smaller lesions than acidic challenge.
- Aging and cavity varnish did not significantly affect lesion size.
- Low copper amalgam, calcium hydroxide base, and the presence of a restoration significantly reduced lesion size.
Conclusions:
- Judicious selection of restorative materials, including low copper amalgam and calcium hydroxide bases, can minimize secondary caries.
- Restoration of cavities, irrespective of aging or varnish, reduces lesion development compared to unrestored teeth.