Processed composites

Functional and Aesthetic Guidelines for Stress-Reduced Direct Posterior Composite Restorations

Amalgam has been used in the restoration of structurally compromised posterior teeth for many years. When placing large amalgam restorations, replacement of weak cusps with restorative material is recommended to prevent tooth fracture. This recommendation can be modified with new guidelines using modern adhesive techniques. Semidirect and indirect inlay/onlay composite restorations have progressively replaced amalgam restorations over the past 20 years. Lately, single visit direct resin-bonded composite (RBC) restorations have also been used as a viable alternative to conventional indirect restorations. This paper is intended to introduce a step-by-step protocol for the direct restoration of structurally compromised posterior teeth using RBCs with stress-reducing protocols.

Aesthetic resin onlay restorations: 'rationale and methods'

Resin composite restorations have gained increasing popularity over the past two decades. This has been largely driven by a patient-orientated demand for the use of aesthetic restorative materials. It has occurred concomitantly with an improvement in the mechanical properties of available materials, and advances in our knowledge of resin bonding. Onlay restorations are advocated for a plethora of clinical applications. This paper considers the role of adhesive onlay restorations fabricated in resin composite in contemporary restorative practice, including the presentation of two case reports.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This case report describes a minimally invasive, aesthetic solution to provide cuspal coverage by means of either a direct or indirect resin composite onlay restoration, respectively.

Clinical Evaluation of Direct Cuspal Coverage with Posterior Composite Resin Restorations

BACKGROUND

Composite resins have esthetic properties; they join the ability to preserve and reinforce sound tooth structure. Conservation is becoming popular for both small to medium defects and more compromised teeth.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of Class II cuspal coverage direct composite restorations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty patients, 18 years or older, were included in this clinical trial restoring 25 vital molar teeth with one or two missing cusps. Criteria for inclusion are two or three surface restorations, replacement of composite and amalgam fillings (secondary decay, fracture of either filling material or tooth structure, aesthetic considerations), or virgin teeth with decay undermining a cusp. Teeth with residual cavity walls less than 1 mm or with complete loss of the clinical crown were excluded. Teeth were restored using a combination of Ultra-Etch 35% phosphoric acid, PQ1 adhesive system, and Vit-l-escence microhybrid composite resin (Ultradent Products, Inc., South Jordan, UT, USA). The enamel peripheral skeleton of the restoration was built up first, followed by dentin and enamel occlusal surface stratification. Wedge-shaped increments of composite resin were placed and cured using the variable intensity polimerizer (VIP) light (Bisco Inc., Schaumburg, IL, USA) through a combination of a pulse and progressive curing technique.

RESULTS

All 25 restorations were evaluated at 6-month intervals during the 30-month period using a modified US Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria by two independent evaluators precalibrated at 85% reliability. No failures were reported and alpha scores were recorded for all parameters. Statistical analysis was performed using a Chi-square test (chi(2)) and the Fisher's exact test. Sixteen of the 25 samples (64%) exhibited preoperative sensitivity to air (chi(2)=10.6; p=0.001). A significant difference in tooth sensitivity was reported after completion of the restorations. No teeth exhibited sensitivity both at the 2-week recall and the 30-month follow-up (chi(2)=23.5; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Microhybrid composite resin demonstrated excellent clinical performance in direct cuspal coverage at completion of a 30-month evaluation. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE In selected clinical situations, cuspal coverage direct posterior composite restorations may represent a valid alternative to conventional indirect restorations.

Direct cuspal-coverage posterior resin composite restorations: A case report

The clinical success of direct composite restorations is the result of the correct use and performance of adhesive systems, resin composites and light curing systems. Total-etch adhesive systems and microhybrid resin composites have seen continuous improvement; various clinical techniques have been introduced to address polymerization shrinkage. Manufacturers have introduced sophisticated light-curing devices with the hope of improving performance. Direct resin bonded composites (RBCs) are becoming the first choice in many clinical situations. This article presents an experimental clinical technique that outlines the reconstruction of severely damaged posterior teeth missing multiple cusps; particular attention to incremental and curing techniques is adopted to complete each restoration.