Teaching of direct composite restoration repair in undergraduate dental schools in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Abstract

Aim: To investigate aspects of the teaching of restoration repair as a minimally invasive alternative to the replacement of defective direct composite restorations in teaching programmes in undergraduate curricula in dental schools in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Methods: An online questionnaire which sought information in relation to the current teaching of composite restoration repair was developed and distributed to the 17 established UK and Irish dental schools with undergraduate teaching programmes in Spring 2010. Results: Completed responses were received from all 17 schools (response rate= 100%). Fifteen schools reported that they included teaching of repair techniques for defective direct composite restorations in their programme. Of the two remaining schools, one indicated that it would introduce teaching of repair techniques during the next five years. The most common indication for a composite repair was that of ‘tooth substance preservation’ (15 schools). The defects in restorations considered appropriate for repair rather than replacement by the largest number of schools included partial loss of restoration (13 schools) and marginal defects (12 schools). The most commonly taught surface treatment when performing a repair was mechanical roughening of the existing composite with removal of the surface layer (14 schools). Thirteen schools taught etching and the application of an adhesive bonding agent to the prepared surfaces, while the most commonly taught material for completing the repair was a hybrid composite resin (12 schools). Popular finishing implements included diamond finishing instruments (13 schools) and finishing discs (11 schools). Conclusion: Not withstanding reluctance amongst general dental practitioners, the teaching of repair of a defective composite restoration, rather than total restoration replacement, is firmly established within UK and Irish dental school programmes. Repair techniques have clear advantages for patients, not least including a minimally invasive approach to treatment and avoidance of unnecessary loss of tooth tissue and pulpal damage. Dental practitioners should look more to repair techniques when managing defective composite restorations and clinical dental teachers should continue to research and refine composite repair techniques.

The Management of Defective Resin Composite Restorations: Current Trends in Dental School Teaching in Japan

“…This is in keeping with (if not exceeding) the proportions seen in other regions surveyed around the world, such as Scandinavia (92%), the United Kingdom and Ireland (88%), The United States and Canada (88%), and Germany (88%). [26][27][28][29] However, despite this, the distribution of teaching within Japanese schools was quite close to that of those in the United States and Canada, with ''organized'' …”

“…A questionnaire based on previous investigations [26][27][28][29] regarding the teaching of the management of defective composite restorations was prepared (in English). This questionnaire was e-mailed to the person identified as being responsible for the delivery of operative dentistry teaching programs within the 29 dental schools with undergraduate programs in Japan.…”

“…Some areas of the world have witnessed advances in the teaching of resin composite restoration repairs, [26][27][28][29] particularly in countries where the teaching of posterior resin composites has seen similar advancement in recent years. The aim of this article is to investigate the contemporary teaching of repairs in the management of defective resin composite restorations in dental schools in Japan, where teaching of posterior resin composites is already well advanced in comparison to many other regions of the world.…”

Managing the phase-down of amalgam: part I. Educational and training issues

“…[14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Well established in the highly successful restoration of anterior teeth, it is through the capacity to conserve, adhere to, and mimic tooth tissues that the true benefits of composite systems become apparent. When placing a composite restoration it is sufficient to remove irretrievably damaged and infected dentine, carefully finish the margins and restore the resultant cavity.…”

Minimal Invasive Treatment for Defective Restorations: Five-Year Results Using Sealants

“…18 In addition, the clinical results of these combined studies have changed education in operative dentistry as repair of restorations is routinely taught in most dental schools. 10,[19][20][21] The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to assess sealed defects at the margins of Class I and Class II amalgam and resin-based composite (RBC) restorations and to follow-up the results after five years. The hypothesis to be tested was that after five years, sealing the defects at the margins would show similar performance as restorations that were replaced.…”