Retention and marginal adaptation of a compomer placed in non-stress-bearing areas used with the total-etch technique: a 3-year retrospective study

Abstract

The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate class V and class III cavities restored with a polyacid-modified resin composite (compomer) restorative material in association with two different dentin-enamel bonding systems: Dyract-PSA (Primer Sealer Adhesive-DentSply, Germany) and Prime&Bond 2.0 (DentSply, Germany). The control group was a hybrid composite used with ProBond bonding system (DentSply, Germany). A total of 116 restorations (79 class V, 37 class III) were made and reevaluated after 1, 2 and 3 years in 55 patients in two private practices and in a university department. Class V nonretentive cavities were located at the CEJ level and class III at interproximal level close to CEJ. Each cavity was prepared using a water-cooled, high-speed handpiece with a fine diamond burr. A small bevel was prepared along enamel margin. Cavity dimensions were no more than 3.5×3.5 mm (using burr as reference point). Each restoration was finished immediately with fine diamond burrs and Sof-Lex disks (3 M, USA). The criteria that were evaluated by the USPHS method included: retention, color match, marginal integrity, marginal discoloration, and secondary caries. Results indicated that all compomer restorations were fully retained at 3 years, and that no secondary caries detected. Seven composite restorations were lost during the 3-year study. No statistical differences were observed between class III and class V or among other conditions (e.g., upper-lower arc, sex, age). This study demonstrates that compomers are suitable restorative materials for class III–V restorations. They may represent a clinical alternative to composites in class V and III restorations.