Comparative evaluation on the number of increments of composites used for restoring disto-occlusal cavities of maxillary and mandibular molars - A retrospective analysis

Abstract

Over time and with the advancement of dental materials, a shift in the paradigm of how lost tooth structure can be restored has occurred. It is not very surprising to notice that many of the traditional amalgam restorations have been replaced with dental composites in the name of aesthetics. The factors that usually contribute to the failure of the composite restorations are secondary caries, pulpal irritation, post-operative sensitivity and marginal discoloration, all indicating microleakage being the cause. Microleakage, in turn, is caused by polymerization shrinkage, which is inherent to the material because of its composition. Amongst a few strategies to minimise polymerization drinking shrinkage is the use of the incremental technique. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the number of increments of composites used for restoring disto-occlusal cavities of maxillary and mandibular molars in the South Indian population. It is a retrospective analysis. Data from 86,000 patient records were sieved and a total of 101 case sheets that presented with disto-occlusal composite restorations in maxillary and mandibular molars were included. The number of increments used to restore the cavity was assessed and tabulated in Microsoft Excel along with details like age, gender and tooth number. Frequency analyses and Chi-Square test was performed. Two increments of composite resin were reported to be used maximum in the restoration of the DO cavities in molars. The association of the number of increments to tooth number is found to be significant (p <0.05). Within the limitations of the study, the number of increments of composite used to restore a DO cavity was more in a mandibular first molar. Thus to conclude that all the teeth were restored in a conservative approach.