Three-Year Practice-Based Clinical Trial on the Performance of a Self-Adhesive Resin-Based Bulk-Fill Restorative

Abstract

Objective: The prospective clinical study followed up on self-adhesive resin-based bulk-fill restorations. Materials and Methods: Seven general dental practitioners from a practice-based research network filled 60 cavities (20 Class I, 19 Class II, 21 Class V) in permanent vital teeth of 41 subjects with a self-adhesive, dual-curing composite hybrid (Surefil one). Modified USPHS criteria were evaluated at baseline and annually. Replacement or repair of the restoration was defined as failure. Data were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and non-parametrically (p < 0.05). Results: After 3 years (1118 ± 39 days), all 29 recalled teeth were rated as vital with no hypersensitivity. One tooth showed signs of cracking. One Class I and one Class II restoration failed due to a combined marginal gap and chipping. Two restorations showed a color mismatch. The remaining restorations were found to be in clinically acceptable condition and all Class II restorations in proximal contact maintained proper contact. With one restoration failure reported after 1 year, the total of three failures resulted in an annual failure rate of 3.94%. Conclusions: The self-adhesive composite hybrid placed during daily routine showed acceptable results out to 3 years in load-bearing Classes I and II as well as non-retentive Class V cavities. Clinical Significance: Three-year data confirmed the suitability of the novel self-adhesive restorative material for stress-bearing posterior restorations.