Small cross-sectional survey of composite restoration attributes associated with choices for replacement

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

RESTORATIVE DESTISTRY

Small cross-sectional survey of composite restoration attributes associated with choices for replacement

Alessandra Ramos Parpaiola^I; Priscilla Santos Guimarães^II; Fabiana Mantovani Gomes França^III; Roberta Tarkany Basting^IV

^IMSc Student - Department of Restorative Dentistry, São Leopoldo Mandic Research Center, Campinas, SP, Brazil

^IIScD, Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Dental Materials, School of Health and the Environment (FAESA), Vitória, ES, Brazil

^IIIPhD, Professor - Department of Restorative Dentistry, São Leopoldo Mandic Research Center, Campinas, SP, Brazil

^IVScD, PhD, Professor - Department of Restorative Dentistry, São Leopoldo Mandic Research Center, Campinas, SP, Brazil

^{Corresponding author}

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work was to present a small cross-sectional survey of composite restoration clinical attributes associated with choices for replacement. Ninety-four composite fillings selected to be replaced were included in this study. A questionnaire was filled out after each procedure in order to assess the clinical conditions that indicated the restoration replacement (marginal staining, unsatisfactory restoration anatomy, marginal fracture, fractured restoration body, painful symptoms, dental fracture, composite discoloration and/or restoration displacement). These conditions could be combined. The chi-square and Exact Fisher tests were performed to analyze the different variables (p < 0.05). The results showed that composite shade discoloration was the main cause of restoration replacement (63.8%). Marginal staining (50%), unsatisfactory restoration anatomy (50%), marginal fracture (14.9%), painful symptoms (8.5%), fractured restoration body (4.3%), dental fracture (1.1%) and total displacement of the restoration (1.1%) were conditions that could be associated. The main cause of dental composite restoration replacement was material shade mismatch with the dental structure (anterior teeth) or marginal staining and unsatisfactory restoration shape (posterior teeth). Marginal staining and composite shade discoloration contrasting with dental structure were related to the presence of caries.

Descriptors: Clinical trial; Esthetics; Dental leakage.

Introduction

In the early 1960s, Bowen started his research using epoxy resins, which presented limited clinical use, culminating in the development of dental composite. Since then, significant improvements in the manipulation, adhesion, mechanical resistance, wear resistance and shade stability characteristics have been observed.¹ However, differences still persist between the properties of the materials and those of dental tissues. The hybridization between the restorative material and the dental substrate is the base for interface maintenance. However, it is known that leakage is an inevitable process, and polymerization shrinkage, thermal expansion coefficient and elastic modulus are the main physical properties of dental composites that influence adhesion durability.^2,3

The differences between the physical properties of teeth and those of restorative materials lead to the formation of gaps at the tooth/restoration interface and consequent marginal microleakage, which is considered the main cause of failures in dental composite restorations.⁴ The main clinical signs that indicate microleakage are marginal staining of the restoration, recurrent caries, injuries to the dentin-pulp complex and marginal fractures.^3,5-10

In view of the large number of clinical signs suggestive of marginal microleakage, it is necessary to establish which of these signs really indicate the replacement or repair of the restoration. Thus, the aim of this work was to present a small cross-sectional survey of the clinical attributes of composite restorations that are associated with the decision for replacement.

Material and Methods

Patients who presented the need to replace one or more direct dental composite restorations in anterior or posterior teeth were assessed, after the project was approved by the local Research Ethics Committee (Process No. 05/189). Patients of both genders, ages ranging from 19 to 62 years old, treated during the period from March to December 2005, at the Dentistry Course of the FAESA (School of Health and the Environment) Dental Clinic were selected for this study.

The patients were assessed by clinical examination after prophylaxis, drying and illuminating the region with a reflector. The restorations were evaluated by 3 calibrated examiners who are faculty at the University. The clinical conditions were recorded on a specific chart in accordance with the following criteria:

• Presence of marginal staining (

  Figure 1);

• presence of unsatisfactory restoration anatomy (

  Figure 2);

• presence of marginal fracture of the restoration (

  Figure 3);

• presence of restoration body fracture (

  Figure 4);

• presence of painful symptoms;

• presence of tooth fracture;

• presence of unsatisfactory composite shade (

  Figure 5);

• presence of a displacement of the restoration.

The decision to indicate replacement was based exclusively on the clinical criteria. When one of these conditions was found, and there was no possibility of repairing it, replacement was indicated; there could also be a combination of clinical signs. So, more than one reason for replacement per restoration could be recorded (not only the main reason for replacement). Radiographs were also taken to determine the presence of caries around restorations.

The presence of caries below the replaced restoration was also recorded. The criteria used for caries diagnosis was the presence of soft dentin tissue when an excavator was used. The approximate date when the restoration was made was recorded after information was provided by the patients.

The non-parametric chi-squared (χ²) and the Fisher exact tests were used to analyze a possible association among the variables with a 5% significance level.

Results

Ninety-four (94) restorations to be replaced in anterior and posterior teeth were evaluated. The distribution of the restorations in accordance with Black classification and location is shown in Table 1. The restorations comprised approximately the same amount in anterior and posterior segments: 51% (n = 48) and 49% (n = 46), respectively.

Of the clinical conditions assessed, it was found that composite discoloration was observed in 63.8% (n = 60). When relating the clinical signs present in anterior restorations, material shade mismatch was the one most frequently observed in 77% (n = 37) of the cases, followed by marginal staining and unsatisfactory restoration shape, both present in 45.8% (n = 22). The clinical signs observed in posterior restorations indicated for replacement were material shade mismatch in 50% of the cases (n = 23) and marginal staining and unsatisfactory restoration shape, both in 54.3% (n = 25) of the cases (Table 2).

In 61.7% of the cases, the presence of caries was observed after the restorative material was removed (Table 3). Caries lesions were diagnosed in 79% (n = 37) of the restorations with marginal staining, 70% (n = 42) of the restorations with shade mismatch and 66% (n = 31) of restorations with unsatisfactory shape (Table 4).

In regard to the approximate date on which the restoration indicated for replacement was inserted, only 46.8% (n = 44) of the patients provided this information and assumed that 70.4% of the restorations had been made less than 5 years previously (Table 5). The other patients did not know exactly when the restoration had been made.

The chi-squared test (χ²) showed the association of the variables "Marginal Staining" and "Material shade mismatch" with "Carious Tissue" during removal for replacement of the composite restoration (Table 6).

Discussion

In this study, when the clinical signs that were most frequently present in the replaced restoration were analyzed, caries lesions were observed in 79% of the restorations with marginal staining and 70% of the cases with material shade mismatch. Marginal staining is mentioned as a clinical sign of microleakage^6,8 and according to the present results, its clinical presence is a good parameter for indicating esthetic restoration replacement. Other clinical signs have been mentioned, such as tooth discoloration¹¹ and marginal fractures.^6,12 Post-operative sensitivity, recurrent caries, injuries and pulp necrosis are also considered clinical signs of microleakage.^6,8,10,13-16

When the clinical condition of restorations replaced in anterior and posterior teeth were related, 77% (n = 37) of the restorations in anterior teeth were replaced because of material shade mismatch, either associated with other factors, or not. In posterior teeth, the main reasons were marginal staining and unsatisfactory restoration anatomy. Li et al.¹¹ (2001) affirmed that extensive microleakage could occur around the restoration without it becoming dislocated. In an in vivo study in which composite restorations were followed up for a period of 36 months,⁶ a high retention rate was observed (86%), even when superficial marginal discoloration and marginal degradation were noted.

In this study, a higher rate of clinical signs that indicated restoration replacement was diagnosed on the proximal surfaces (50% of cases). In the proximal regions, mainly in Class II cavities in which the gingival margin of the restoration is in dentin or cement, bonding and polymerization procedures are critical.¹² When the cervical margins of the preparation are located in enamel, the microleakage rate is significantly lower.^17-19

The presence of marginal leakage is a limiting factor in the longevity of composite restorations.^8,20 Microleakage can lead to secondary caries, as related by Mjör, Toffenetti²¹ (2000) and Mjör²² (2005). The technique for inserting and polymerizing the resin composite is sensitive and time consuming.³ The operator's understanding of the bonding mechanism of the resin composite to tooth hard tissues is of fundamental importance for optimizing the performance of the material.

It was observed that 70.4% of the esthetic restorations that were indicated for replacement had been placed a maximum of 5 years previously. The longevity of composite restorations is a common concern,²³ but no identification of problems during the restoration procedure (such as the use of an incorrect technique) was performed. In this study, the information about the date of the initial restoration was obtained by a report made by the patients, however, sometimes they were vague and inexact in remembering the time when it was done.

A large number of composite restorations are replaced because of dissatisfaction with esthetics. Material shade alteration was the topic most indicated by the questionnaires in 60 cases, 37 of them being in anterior teeth and 23 in posterior teeth. Material shade mismatch can be due to several factors, such as those occuring during shade selection, and those after restoration placement, such as unsatisfactory hygiene, use of beverages such as coffee and tea, among others that could lead to staining both the restoration and the tooth. In cases in which this staining is slight, polishing the restoration may return its satisfactory esthetic appearance, thus allowing the restoration to be kept for a longer period. Nevertheless, in some situations, this shade alteration is serious and difficult to remove with polishing and may be associated with other clinical signs.

The main cause of composite restoration replacement is the formation of caries, as a result of marginal leakage.²⁴ It is important that signs and consequences of microleakage be differentiated, so that diagnosis can be made as soon as possible, and that microleakage of a small extent be prevented from developing into severe conditions, such as caries lesions, complete loss of the restoration or even pulp necrosis.

Conclusions

The main cause of dental composite restoration replacement in anterior teeth was material shade mismatch with the dental structure, while in posterior teeth it was marginal staining and unsatisfactory restoration shape. Marginal staining and material shade mismatch with the dental structure were related to the presence of caries.

Received for publication on Dec 08, 2007

Accepted for publication on Dec 18, 2008

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  04 Nov 2009
• Date of issue
  Sept 2009

History

• Received
  08 Dec 2007
• Accepted
  18 Dec 2008