Is high-viscosity glass-ionomer-cement a successor to amalgam for treating primary molars?

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To assess and compare the cumulative survival rate of amalgam and atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) restorations in primary molars over 3 years.

METHODS:

280 children aged 6-7 years old were enrolled in a cluster randomized controlled clinical trial using a parallel group design covering two treatment groups: conventional restorative treatment with amalgam (CRT) and atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) using a high-viscosity glass-ionomer (HVGIC) Ketac Molar Easymix. Three pedodontists placed 750 restorations (364 amalgam and 386 ART in 126 and 154 children, respectively) which were evaluated at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 years. The proportional hazard rate regression model with frailty correction, ANOVA and Wald tests, and the Jackknife procedure were applied in analysing the data.

RESULTS:

The cumulative survival rates over 3 years for all, single- and multiple-surface CRT/amalgam restorations (72.6%, 93.4%, 64.7%, respectively) were no different from those of comparable ART/HVGIC restorations (66.8%; 90.1% and 56.4%, respectively) (p=0.10). Single-surface restorations had higher survival rates than multiple-surface restorations for the both treatment procedures (p<0.0001). A higher proportion of restorations failed because of mechanical reasons (94.8%) than of secondary caries (5.2%). No difference in reasons for restoration failures between all types of amalgam and ART/HVGIC restorations were observed (p=0.24).

SIGNIFICANCE:

The high-viscosity glass-ionomer used in this study in conjunction with the ART is a viable option for restoring carious dentin lesions in single surfaces in vital primary molars.

• Authors: Leandro A Hilgert, Rodrigo G de Amorim, Soraya C Leal, Jan Mulder, Nico H J Creugers, Jo E Frencken
• Journal: Dental materials : official publication of the Academy of Dental Materials (Dent Mater) Vol. 30 Issue 10 Pg. 1172-8 (Oct 2014) ISSN: 1879-0097 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25132283 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Glass Ionomer Cements
• Dental Amalgam

Topics

• Child
• Dental Amalgam
• Glass Ionomer Cements
• Humans
• Molar
• Viscosity