Indications for initial placement and replacement of amalgam and composite restorations

Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish the reasons for initial placement and replacement of dental amalgam and resin composite restorations. It was a cross-sectional descriptive study in which 253 respondents conveniently sampled among the patients attending the University of Nairobi Dental Hospital between August and September 2005 were recruited. Of the subjects, 117 (48.4%) were male and 125 (51.6%) female. A total of252 restorations were evaluated, 234(92.9%) were initial placement restorations while 18 (7.1%) were replacement restorations. The most common reason cited for initial restoration was primary carries 227 (96%) whereas secondary caries 18 (3650 was the commonest indication for replacement restorations. The filling materials used for the initial and replacement restorations were amalgam 189 (80.1 %) and resin composite 46 (19.5%).