Performance of resin composite restorations in the primary dentition: a retrospective university-based study.

BACKGROUND: Limited data is available on variables influencing the survival of composite restorations in primary teeth.

AIM: This retrospective university-based study assessed the survival and risk factors associated with failures of resin composite restorations performed in primary teeth.

DESIGN: The sample was composed of 961 restorations from records of 337 patients (178 girls and 159 boys) attended in a university dental clinic. The restorations' longevity up to 48 months of follow-up was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier survival test. Multivariate Cox regression analysis with shared frailty was used to evaluate the factors associated with failures (P < 0.05).

RESULTS: Mean survival time was 41.5 months (95% CI: 39.7-43.3), with 70.6% of the restorations surviving after 48 months of evaluation. The overall annual failure rate up to 48 months follow-up was 8.3%. Restorations placed in lower arch had lower survival rate than those in upper arch (HR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.02-3.28). Restorations involving two or more surfaces had more risk of failure than restorations placed in cavities involving only one surface (HR: 2.55 95% CI: 1.34- 4.83). Girls had less risk of failure in their restorations (HR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.19-0.96).

CONCLUSION: Individual and dental variables such as gender, arch type and number of restored surfaces were associated with failure of composite restorations performed in children under daily life clinical environment.