Composite versus amalgam: A three-year clinical study in posterior primary teeth

Abstract

Clinical studies on composite resins in Class II Resotrations place in adults indicate that wear is the predominant problem. However, little has been published on the use of composites for such restorations in primary teeth. The purpose of this study was to compare amalgam to composite resins in such restorations. Two composite resins (Adaptic and Radio-opaque Adaptic) served as the Experiemental material and amalgam, (Dispersalloy) was the control . One operator placed 57 sets, one restoration of each of the three materials per set, in 50 patients at the Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis. Evaluations were made at baseline, six months, one year, two years, and three years using the Ryge-USPHS criteria and by means of casts poured from elastomeric impressions. Results of the Ryge-USPHS criteria indicated no wear or color change of the composites after two years (p=N.S.). However, of the 49 sets that returned at one year, two composites had caries around the restoration. This particular observation was monitored at the three-year time interval and found not to increase around any other composite restorations. Composite restorations in posterior primary teeth compared equally to amalgam (Dispersalloy) for the first two years of the project. The loss of anatomic form was significant after three years (p=.05).