A 14-year Follow-up of Resin Composite Occlusal Restorations: Split Mouth Randomised Clinical Trial and Wear Evaluation by Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract

Introduction: The search for restorative materials with clinical longevity has led to modifications in the composition of the resin composites. Aim: To evaluate the clinical performance and the occlusal wear of posterior restorations with one microhybrid (Suprafill/ SS White) and two condensable/packable (Filtek P60/3MESPE and Surefil/Dentsply Caulk) resin composites. Materials and Methods: Sixty restorations (n=20) were performed in 2002 in 20 patients. Class I and II cavities were restored with the studied resin composites in a split-mouth design. Evaluations were done at baseline, 1 and 14-years regarding colour stability, marginal discolouration and integrity, caries incidence, and anatomic form according to the USPHS criteria (United States Public Health Service). OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) images of the gypsum replica were analysed to observe the wear of the restorations at the buccal and lingual cusps. Data was evaluated through Friedman’s test and Wilcoxon signed ranks post hoc test (p=0.05). Results: Differences were not observed between the evaluated resin composites regarding each of the analysed parameters (p>0.05). However, for each resin composite, differences were observed between the observation periods through Friedman’s test (p0.05). Conclusion: The condensable/packable resin composites and microhybrid presented similar performance after 14 years. The cast replica analysis by OCT was a viable method for follow-up evaluations consistent with the clinical observations.

Keywords

• clinical evaluation
• dental restoration failure
• longevity