In vivo study of the behavior of glass ionomer restorations in patients with special needs

Abstract

Background: Glass ionomers may be a good alternative to composite resin restorations in special needs patients with challenging behaviours. The present study was carried out to evaluate the restorative efficacy of glass iono-mer in the occlusal cavities of permanent molars among patients with special needs after one year of follow-up. Material and Methods: A randomized split-mouth study was made of a cohort of patients with special needs. First and second permanent molars with occlusal caries were treated with glass ionomer, silver amalgam and composite resin. Assessments were made at 3, 6 and 12 months, using a scale based on the original code of Ryge and the USPHS criteria. Results: A total of 34 patients and 102 restorations comprised the study sample. The survival rate of both the glass ionomer and silver amalgam was 100%, versus 97.1% in the case of composite resin. The glass ionomer afforded good marginal adaptation and stable color, with no fractures or secondary caries. Conclusions: The glass ionomer remained successfully for one year in the occlusal cavities of the permanent mo-lars, with the same survival rate as silver amalgam, and better survival than composite resin, in the patients with special needs.