Preliminary data on clinical performance of bulk-fill restorations in primary molars.

Context: In pediatric clinic practice, bulk fill composite is gaining importance for shortened clinical time with a limited shrinkage.

Aims: The present study evaluated the 1 year clinical performance of bulk fill composite and conventional composite material in occlusal caries of primary molars.

Settings and Design: The study was designed as randomized single blind clinical trial and a total of 160 restorations were placed in the cavities of the 80 patients.

Materials and Methods: Each patient received two restorations: one with Filtek Z250 (3M ESPE, St Paul, MN 55144, USA); the other restored with Filtek Bulk-Fill Restorative (FBF) (3M ESPE, St Paul, MN, USA). All restorations were clinically evaluated after baseline, 6 months, and 1 year in terms of retention, color matching, marginal discoloration, marginal adaptation, secondary caries, surface texture, anatomic form, and postoperative sensitivity.

Statistical Analysis Used: Besides the descriptive statistical methods, the Friedman test and the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks were used.

Results: Bulk fill was found to be worse compared to control with regard to postoperative sensitivity at baseline without statistical significance (P > 0.05). All of the evaluated restorations were retained and were still in function after 1 year (P > 0.05). With respect to marginal discoloration and marginal integrity, there were no significant differences between bulk fill and composite restorations at all intervals (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Based on this short term data, restoration of Class I cavities with both bulk fill and conventional composite restorations can be performed successfully. Postoperative sensitivity can be an issue with the restorations completed with Bulk fill restorative.