Randomized clinical trial evaluating proximal retentions on Class II ART restorations

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of proximal retention grooves on the survival rates of occlusoproximal ART restorations in primary teeth using high viscosity glass ionomer cement (EQUIA Fil©, GC Corporation; Tokyo, Japan). METHODS: A total of 183 children aged 4 to 7 years, with good general health, 1 to 4 occlusoproximal cavities in primary molars without pulp involvement or tooth pain were included. Three hundred teeth were randomized and allocated according to the child's caries index and the size of the cavity to be restored into two groups: control ‐ conventional ART restorations (G1, n=150) and test ‐ ART restorations containing proximal retention grooves (G2, n=150). In the test group the retentions were performed with a modified dentin spoon (SSWhite/Duflex, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) at the buccal and lingual walls in dentin 0.5 mm from the dentin enamel junction. RESULTS: After 6, 12 and 24 months 130 restorations in Group 1 and 110 restorations in Group 2 were examined (blind) by two calibrated examiners (Kappa intra‐ and inter‐evaluators > 0.80) using the modified ART criteria. The Kaplan‐Meier test was performed for the survival rate of the restorations. The mean dmf‐s (6.43/G1 and 6.36/G2), VPI (43/G1 and 44/G2) and GBI (11/G1 and 12/G2) were similar between groups. Success rates after 6, 12 and 24 months were 96%, 88% and 66% for G1 and 97%, 89% and 71%, for G2, respectively. There was no significant difference between groups (p=0.70/12 months and p=0.32/24 months) regarding survival rate of the restorations using the ART criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Class II ART restorations with proximal retention grooves presented similar survival rates to non‐grooves restorations after 6, 12 and 24 months.