Repair of restorations

Abstract

In general most frequent reasons for failure of restorations are caries adjacent to restorations as well as fractures but for the different groups of materials the reasons for failure of are varying. In the past when a problem occurred the restoration was usually replaced completely as for many decades repair was considered as patchwork dentistry. But that changed in the last years. Repair is now taught in nearly all universities and that not all defective restorations have to be replaced. Very often repair is a better and more tooth structure saving alternative than replacement. In general there are four options in case of not perfect restorations: 1. No treatment (monitoring) 2. Refurbishment 3. Repair 4. Replacement The procedure to be chosen-beside costs-is depending on the size of the defect and the accessibility, the condition of the rest of the restoration and the tooth as well as conditions in the oral cavity and the systemic status of the patients. Detailed procedures for different filling materials and the longevity of repaired restorations will be discussed.