Four-year clinical evaluation of an all-in-one adhesive in Class Vs

Method: A sample of 50 restorations in 40 patients in need of at least one or two Class V was collected from September 2008 until December 2008. Before applying the adhesive material, a pain measurement was performed. Patient’s response was determined to a 1-second application of air from a dental unit syringe and to a tactile stimulus by a sharp #5 explorer. The patient was asked to rate the experienced sensitivity by placing a mark on a visual analog scale (0=no pain to 10=excruciating pain). Only patients scoring low (1-5) were included in the study: Post-operative sensitivity, marginal discoloration and integrity, secondary caries, maintenance of interproximal contacts, vitality test, retention and fracture were evaluated. Follow-up visits were scheduled 1, 7 days and 1 month after restoration placement, then after, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 months.

Result: All the restorations were retained over the 48-month follow-up period. A decrease in the frequency of post-operative sensitivity with time was observed. After one day post-operative sensitivity was no longer reported. At the 48-month follow-up, 5 out of 37 restorations showed marginal defects. Such defects were classified with a ‘Bravo’ rating in 4 restorations and with a ‘Charlie’ rating in 1 restoration. At the longest follow-up evaluation 1 out of 37 restored teeth showed secondary caries. One tooth was found to have lost vitality at the 18-month evaluation.

Conclusion: G-aenial Bond used in combination with Gradia Direct for the restoration of Class V cavities showed a satisfactory clinical performance over a 4-year follow-up period.