Is high-viscosity glass-ionomer-cement a successor to amalgam for treating primary molars?

Objectives. To assess and compare the cumulative survival rate of amalgam and atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) restorations in primary molars over 3 years. Methods. 280 children aged 6-7 years old were enrolled in a cluster randomized controlled clinical trial using a parallel group design covering two treatment groups: conventional restorative treatment with amalgam (CRT) and atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) using a high-viscosity glass-ionomer (HVGIC) Ketac Molar Easymix. Three pedodontists placed 750 restorations (364 amalgam and 386 ART in 126 and 154 children, respectively) which were evaluated at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 years. The proportional hazard rate regression model with frailty correction, ANOVA and Wald tests, and the Jackknife procedure were applied in analysing the data. Results. The cumulative survival rates over 3 years for all, single- and multiple-surface CRT/amalgam restorations (72.6%, 93.4%, 64.7%, respectively) were no different from those of comparable ART/HVGIC restorations (66.8%; 90.1% and 56.4%, respectively) (p = 0.10). Singlesurface restorations had higher survival rates than multiple-surface restorations for the both treatment procedures (p < 0.0001). A higher proportion of restorations failed because of mechanical reasons (94.8%) than of secondary caries (5.2%). No difference in reasons for restoration failures between all types of amalgam and ART/HVGIC restorations were observed (p = 0.24). Signcance. The high-viscosity glass-ionomer used in this study in conjunction with the ART is a viable option for restoring carious dentin lesions in single surfaces in vital primary molars. 2014 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.