Clinical Evaluation of Three Adhesive Systems

Non-carious cervical lesions (NCCL) frequently require restoration because of aesthetics, sensitivity or the need to protect against further tooth loss. The preferred restorative material is an adhesive system, e.g., a resin composite with a dentine bonding agent (DBA) or a resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (RMGIC). Objectives: to assess the clinical performance of two DBAs and an RMGIC in the restoration of NCCLs. Methods: Twenty patients of mean age 61 y were recruited, and 92 restorations placed using either a 2-bottle DBA (Single Bond with A110 resin composite, 3M/ESPE), a self-etching primer DBA (SE Bond with Clearfil ST resin composite; Kuraray) or an RMGIC (Fuji II LC; GC), following the respective manufacturers' instructions. Photographs were taken pre-operatively and at base line, and at 1-year, 2-year and 3-year recalls. Restoration retention was assessed as present or absent, and marginal discoloration assessed from the photographs. Results: The retention rates (%) for Single Bond, SE Bond and Fuji II LC respectively, using life-table analysis, were: 1 year: 86, 74, 74; 2 years: 97, 93, 88; 3 years: 100, 100, 95. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated a significant difference in survival only between Fuji II LC and Single Bond (Mantel-Cox; P=0.021). Marginal discoloration was present in association with three restorations, only one of which was of clinical concern. Conclusions: maximum retention was obtained with the RMGIC and the self-etching primer DBA; retention using the 2-bottle system was poorest. Supported by Kuraray Co., Japan.