Reasons for placement and replacement of restorations of direct restorative materials by a selected group of practitioners in the United Kingdom.

TLDR

The data emphasize the need to monitor treatment trends in contemporary clinical practice, highlighting the necessity for more extensive surveys of this type. The study investigates reasons for placement and replacement of direct restorations in UK general dental practice. Twenty‑two practitioners recorded up to 250 consecutive direct restorations over a six‑week period. About 60 % of restorative practice may involve replacement of existing restorations; for amalgam and glass‑ionomer cement, secondary caries was the main reason, while for resin composite, secondary caries and poor appearance were equally common.

Abstract

This article reports the findings of a study on reasons for the placement and replacement of direct restorations in general dental practice in the United Kingdom. Twenty-two selected practitioners recorded information pertaining to up to 250 consecutive direct restorations placed by themselves during a 6-week period. From data derived from 2,379 restorations, it was found that about 60% of restorative practice in the United Kingdom may be found to comprise the replacement of existing restorations. For restorations of amalgam and glass-ionomer cement, the principal reason for replacement was secondary caries. For restorations of resin composite, secondary caries and poor appearance accounted for equal proportions of failures. Apart from the need for more extensive surveys of the type reported, the data emphasize the need to monitor treatment trends in contemporary clinical practice.