Clinical decision making on extensive molar restorations.

SUMMARY Extensive loss of posterior tooth substance, which traditionally was restored with amalgam or indirect restorations, is more commonly being restored with resin-based composite restorations. Using a questionnaire, we aimed to survey dentists' clinical decision making when restoring extensive defects in posterior molar teeth. The questionnaire, which included questions on background information from the dentists, clinical cases with treatment options, and general questions about restoring extensive posterior defects, was sent to 476 dentists. The response rate was 59%. Multiple logistic regressions were used to investigate the different associations. Most of the respondents preferred a direct composite restoration when one cusp was missing, while indirect restorations were most preferred when replacing three or four cusps. Younger dentists and dentists working in the private sector had a greater tendency to choose an indirect technique compared with older colleagues. Generally, the most important influencing factor in clinical decision making was the amount of remaining tooth substance. Factors that appeared to be less important were dental advertisements, use of fluoride, and dietary habits. Female dentists perceived factors such as oral hygiene, patient requests, and economy to be more important than did their male colleagues.

Changes in health complaints after removal of amalgam fillings.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether removal of all amalgam fillings was associated with long-term changes in health complaints in a group of patients who attributed subjective health complaints to amalgam fillings. Patients previously examined at the Norwegian Dental Biomaterials Adverse Reaction Unit were included in the study and assigned to a treatment group (n = 20) and a reference group (n = 20). Participants in the treatment group had all amalgam fillings replaced with other restorative materials. Follow-ups took place 3 months, 1 and 3 years after removal of all amalgam fillings. There was no intervention in the reference group. Subjective health complaints were measured by numeric rating scales in both groups. Analysis of covariance was used to compare changes in health complaints over time in the two groups. In the treatment group, there were significant reductions in intra-oral and general health complaints from inclusion into study to the 3-year follow-up. In the reference group, changes in the same period were not significant. Comparisons between the groups showed that reductions in intra-oral and general health complaints in the treatment group were significantly different from the changes in the reference group. The mechanisms behind this remain to be identified. Reduced exposure to dental amalgam, patient-centred treatment and follow-ups, and elimination of worry are factors that may have influenced the results.