Assessment of glass polyalkenoate restorations in primary molar teeth

This study assess the suitability of glass polyalkenoate cement as a restorative material in primary molars, when placed by community dental officers in their own clinics. Nine officers placed the restorations and two assessors examined the restorations after one and three years, recording details of the success or failure of each restoration. A total of 635 glass polyalkenoate restorations were placed and, after one year, 149 (23.4%) of these had failed. Of the 359 available for examination after three years, a further 142 (22.4%) had failed, leaving 217 (42.7%) intact. This study shows that the major factor in the successful use of glass polyalkenoate cements as a restorative material in deciduous molars is the classification type of cavity. A significant number of Class II restorations failed within the first year. The study confirms that glass polyalkenoate cements provide a satisfactory means of restoring Class I cavities in primary teeth.