Practice-based One Year Clinical Performance of Low-shrinkage Resin Composite Restorations

Objective: To evaluate the clinical performance of loadbearing restorations formed in Filtek Silorane(3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany) resin composite, in patients attending five UK dental practices. Methods: Five members of the PREP Panel - a practice-based research group of general dental practitioners in the UK and Ireland, were selected. Each was asked to place 25 class I or II restorations formed in Filtek Silorane(3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany) resin composite, where indicated on posterior teeth. The restorations were reviewed by one independent examiner and the practitioner who placed the restorations at one year +/- 3 months. Modified USPHS criteria were used. Results: 122 restorations (29 Class I and 93 Class II), of mean age 12.8 months, in 72 patients (43 Female and 29 Male), of mean age 48.2 years, were examined. No secondary caries was detected and all restorations were intact, with 90% being rated optimal for marginal integrity and none unacceptable. 96% of the restorations were rated optimal for marginal discoloration and none were scored unacceptable. 99% of the restorations were rated optimal for color match and no surface staining was recorded. 95% of the restorations were rated optimal for surface quality and 100% were rated for anatomic form. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that Class I and Class II restorations of Filtek Silorane, placed in patients attending five UK general dental practices, are performing satisfactorily after 12months. Acknowledgments: The authors wish to thank the participating practitioners and their patients and acknowledge financial support from 3M ESPE.