CARIES ASSOCIATED WITH RESTORATIONS IN PRIMARY MOLARS –AN 18-MONTHS FOLLOW-UP STUDY

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the occurrence of caries associated with restorations in primary molars. Methods: Resin-modified glass ionomer cement (n=50) and compomer (n=50) restorations of primary molars were made in 100 children. The restorations were clinically evaluated on the 3rd, 6th, 12th and 18th month with the FDI criteria. Results: On the 3rd month recall, all restorations showed excellent clinical assessment scores for all FDI criteria. In regard to secondary caries, on the 6th month, clinically unacceptable was only one restoration. In the 12th month, 19.00% of the restorations were diagnosed with caries adjacent to the restoration. The relative share of secondary caries lesions assessed in restorations from glass ionomer cement (27.27%) was higher than that from compomer material (14.28%), as well as the restorations on the occlusal surface (38.46%), compared to those on the proximal surfaces (7.40%). Caries associated with restorations was diagnosed more frequently in relation to the caries lesions assessed as active at the first visit (29.62%) compared to the inactive lesions (7.69%). At the 18th month recall, the relative share of restorations diagnosed with secondary caries was lower (8.00%). Conclusion: The type of restorative material, type of affected surface and the activity of the carious lesion are factors that may influence the occurrence of caries associated with restorations in primary molars. Our study showed that a critical moment for the clinical condition of the followed restorations is the 12th month of the treatment.