Authors' objectives:

1. To assess whether there are variations in the longevity and the cost of the different routine dental restorations. 2. To establish the factors that influence the longevity of routine dental resorations.

Authors' recommendations: Dental fillings do not last forever; over 60% of all restorative dentistry is for the replacement of fillings. There is a large choice of materials that can be used for fillings. Many are introduced into the market place and used on patients with very limited evidence that they are more effective or efficient than existing materials. This has created high levels of uncertainty about the merits of different materials currently in use. Dental amalgam is the material of choice unless aesthetics are very mportant. It lasts longest and is the cheapest. Unless there is a contra-indication (which is usual aesthetics or pregnancy), it is recommended for routine use wherever possible. The life span of fillings achieved in better quality research studies suggests that routine clinical practice may be producing sub-optimal results. Work is needed to establish means of improving the quality of routine practice, putting in place incentives to promote cost-effective care and identifying the resource implications.

Authors' methods: Systematic review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/CRD_Reports/crdreport19.pdf

Year Published: 2001

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England

Organisation Name: University of York

Contact Address: University of York, York, Y01 5DD, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 1904 321040, Fax: +44 1904 321041,

Contact Name: crd@york.ac.uk

Contact Email: crd@york.ac.uk

Copyright: Centre for Reviews and Dissemination