Restorative dentistry for pediatric teeth: State of the art 2001

Abstract

Many changes have occurred in dental restorative materials and techniques since the time when amalgam was the material most used for restoration of pediatric teeth. Amalgam has received criticism for its alleged health challenges since the beginning of its use. For more than 30 years, resin-based composites have been used with varying levels of success in Class II areas of adult teeth and, to some degree, in pediatric teeth. For about 15 of those years, resin-based composites have been relatively successful when the material is used properly and the teeth have only a small or moderate degree of dental caries. More recently, several new materials have been developed and popularized that have significant levels of fluoride release. These materials have the potential for caries-preventive influence not only on the restored teeth but also, because of the fluoride released into the mouth, on other teeth as well.