Clinical Evaluation of a Self-etching Adhesive in Non-retentive Cervical Cavities

Objectives: This study is designed to evaluate the retention rates and clinical performance of a new self-etching dentine and enamel adhesive (1) used in combination with either a new compomer material (2) or a contemporary composite resin restorative (3) for restorations placed in non-retentive cervical cavities. Method: A total of 78 restorations were placed in 37 human subjects in non-retentive cervical cavities in permanent teeth. All cavities were concave in form with more than 50% of their margins lying in dentine. One operator placed all restorations under rubber dam isolation. The tooth surface was cleansed using a rotary brush and oil-free cleansing paste. The adhesive was applied without prior chemical conditioning of the surfaces. The adhesive was painted directly onto the exposed enamel and dentine and allowed to react. It was blown to evaporate the solvent and then photopolymerised. The selected restorative material was applied immediately, photopolymerised and finished. Two examiners evaluated the restorations. The parameters evaluated were; surface finish, surface contour, colour match, gingival index, secondary caries and marginal integrity. Baseline observations were recorded at one week then patients were recalled for reviews at six months and 1 year. Kaplan-Meier statistics are used for survival analysis. Results: 74 teeth were available for review at six months (94% response to recall) and 60 teeth were available for review at one year (77% response to recall). The Kaplan-Meier probability of survival at one year for the compomer restorations was 1.0 and 0.95 for the composites. All other parameters recorded were scored as 100% alpha. No hypersensitivity or pulpal problems were noted. Conclusions: This one year evaluation indicates an acceptable level of clinical performance of the adhesive for compomer restorations and composite restorations. (1) Xeno III, (2) Dyract XP, (3) Esthet-X, Dentsply DeTrey, Konstanz This study was funded by Dentsply DeTrey.