Clinical performance of resin-modified glass ionomer cement restorations in primary teeth: A retrospective evaluation

Background. The authors retrospectively evaluated the clinical performance of one resin-modified glass ionomer cement as a restorative material in Class I, Class II, Class III and Class V restorations in primary teeth. Methods. A total of 306 patients who had received a total of 864 resin-modified glass ionomer restorations, which had been in their mouths for a minimum of three years, were included in this evaluation. The authors assessed the clinical observations recorded in patients' records and used bitewing radiographs to assess Class II restorations. Results. The authors found an overall restoration success rate of 93.0 percent, with Class I restorations having a 92.6 percent success rate, Class II restorations having a 93.3 percent success rate, Class III restorations having a 100 percent success rate, and Class V restorations having a 98.0 percent success rate. Conclusions. The resin-modified glass ionomer cement functioned well as a Class I, Class II, Class III and Class V restorative material in primary teeth. Clinical Implications. Resin-modified glass ionomer restorative cement is a durable and reliable material to use for Class I, Class II, Class III and Class V restorations in primary teeth. Therefore, dentists have a proven alternative to silver amalgam and resin-based composite for primary tooth restoration.