Longevity of glass-ionomer restorative materials: results of a 10-year evaluation

Three restorative materials used for cervical erosion /abrasion lesions were evaluated clinically after 10 years. Thirty adult patients with at least four cervical lesions received one restoration of each of Ketac-Fil, finished immediately, Ketac-Fil, finished after a delay, Chelon-FIl (all glass-ionomer cements), and Cervident (a resin composite). Restorations were placed without any tooth preparations. Eighteen patients returned for their 10-year examinations. Two experienced examiners provided the periodic evaluations. Complete retention at 10 years was 83% for Ketac-Fil, finished immediately; 78% for Ketac-Fil, finished after a delay; 67% for Chelon-Fil; and 17% for Cervident. All three glass-ionomer restorative materials exhibited statistically significantly greater retention that did Cervident. When a noninvasive procedure is desired, glass-ionomer materials are the restorative material of choice for abrasion/erosion lesions because of their long-term retention values.