Three-Year Clinical Performance of Composite Restorations Placed by Undergraduate Dental Students

Abstract

This retrospective study evaluated the clinical performance and the reasons for failure of anterior and posterior composite restorations placed by undergraduate dental students over a 3-year period. All cavities were restored using Prime & Bond 2.1 and TPH (Dentsply), according to the manufacturer’s indications. One hundred and two patients who had received composite restorations by third and forth year undergraduate students were recalled and examined to analyze the quality of the restorations. The restorations were evaluated using the modified USPHS system. Two hundred and fifty-six composite storations, 170 in anterior teeth and 86 in posterior teeth, were evaluated. Eighty-five percent of the restorations were considered satisfactory after 3 years. Class II and class IV restorations presented the highest prevalence of failure. Loss of the estoration and deficient marginal adaptation were the main causes of failure. No restoration failed due to secondary aries. Most restorations placed by dental tudents were considered satisfactory after long-term evaluation. Failure was more revalent in larger restorations and was not associated with secondary caries.