12-year Survival of Composite vs. Amalgam Restorations

• Published in: Journal of dental research Vol. 89; no. 10; pp. 1063 - 1067
• Main Authors: Opdam, N.J.M., Bronkhorst, E.M., Loomans, B.A.C., Huysmans, M.-C.D.N.J.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.10.2010; International Association for Dental Research; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate - chemistry; Composite Resins - chemistry; Cracked Tooth Syndrome - etiology; Dental Alloys - chemistry; Dental Amalgam - chemistry; Dental Caries - therapy; Dental Materials - chemistry; Dental Prosthesis Repair; Dental Restoration Failure; Dental Restoration, Permanent - classification; Dental Restoration, Permanent - standards; Dentin-Bonding Agents - chemistry; Dentistry; Facial bones, jaws, teeth, parodontium: diseases, semeiology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Materials Testing; Medical sciences; Methacrylates - chemistry; Middle Aged; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Survival Analysis; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments; Tooth Fractures - etiology; Young Adult; longevity; amalgam; clinical trials; risk factor; composite materials; caries; Human; Stomatology; Dental disease; Dental carie; Longevity; Amalgams; Composite material; Dental restoration; Clinical trial; Biomaterial; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0022-0345; 1544-0591
• DOI: 10.1177/0022034510376071

Information about the long-term clinical survival of large amalgam and composite restorations is still lacking. This retrospective study compares the longevity of three- and four-/five-surface amalgam and composite restorations relative to patients’ caries risk. Patient records from a general practice were used for data collection. We evaluated 1949 large class II restorations (1202 amalgam/747 composite). Dates of placement, replacement, and failure were recorded, and caries risk of patients was assessed. Survival was calculated from Kaplan-Meier statistics. After 12 years, 293 amalgam and 114 composite restorations had failed. Large composite restorations showed a higher survival in the combined population and in the low-risk group. For three-surface restorations in high-risk patients, amalgam showed better survival.