Practice-based research delivers information about how effective treatments are in the real world, whereas research done in hospitals or academic settings may reveal the efficacy, or how things work in an ideal environment. If a technique or material is to be successful, it must be readily usable in dental practice situations. Glass-ionomer materials were designed for use mainly in non-load-bearing cavities. The glass-ionomer materials offer the advantages of good compressive strength, reliable
The restorations placed before 2001 by one dentist and those placed after 2001 by a successor were analyzed retrospectively using US Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria. The restorations had been in place at least 5 years. Evaluators assessed the anatomic form, margin adaptation, surface roughness, color match, and presence or absence of secondary caries.
The 42 restorations were placed in 25 patients (mean age 57 years). The mean age of the restorations was 7 years, 9 months, with a range of 5 to 10 years. Thirteen restorations were placed in premolar teeth (Fig 1) and 29 in molar teeth. All but one of the original restorations were available to evaluation. Using the USPHS criteria, anatomic form was graded A in 85.7% of the restorations and B in the rest. With respect to surface roughness, 81% received an A, 17% a B, and one restoration a C.
Reinforced glass-ionomer restorations were used for load-bearing situations in 42 sites, some premolars and some molars. After 5 to 10 years, they were performing satisfactorily. Clinical Significance These restorations were placed in a busy dental practice and represent “real world” situations. Although reinforced glass-ionomer materials are not among the recommended materials for load-bearing situations, these continue to perform well after over 5 years. Controlled, prospective studies are
Burke FJT, Bardha JS: A retrospective, practice-based, clinical evaluation of Fuji IX restorations aged over five years placed in load-bearing cavities. Br Dent J 215:E9, 2013
Reprints available from T Burke, Primary Dental Care Research Unit, Univ of Birmingham, School of Dentistry, St Chad's Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6NN, UK; fax: 0121 237 2768; e-mail: [email protected]
