OBJECTIVE
Comparative clinical evaluation of restorations on the contact surfaces of molars and premolars performed using traditional approaches and using modified light-conducting wedges.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
28 patients were examined, who had 43 carious cavities of class II according to Black restored with a diagnosis of moderate caries. The CPI index and the OHI-S hygienic index were determined. Patients with good hygiene (OHI-S index was 0.36±0.11 points, p<0.05) and without multiple caries were selected for the study. Three groups were formed: Group I, patients to whom the restoration of the contact surface was performed using the conventional method using a matrix; in group II, the restoration was performed using the Contact Pro system; In group III, the restoration was carried out using our proposed method, which consisted in using a modified light-conducting wedge, one of the sides of which (facing the neighboring tooth) was covered with a reflective material. Clinical evaluation of restorations was carried out after 6 and 12 months according to the criteria of “marginal fit”, “marginal staining”, “contact point” and “secondary caries” in accordance with the USPHS9 (United States Public Health Service). The data obtained was processed using variational statistics in the Statistica 13 program and the MS Excel 2010 package.
RESULTS
It has been established that the application of the proposed technique makes it possible to obtain a better and longer-term restoration of the contact point in patients with approximate cavities in comparison with traditional approaches to its restoration. The assessment of restorations according to the criterion of “marginal fit” after 6 and 12 months corresponded to 93.75±6.05% and 86.67±8.78%, respectively. A follow-up examination after 12 months showed the absence of secondary caries in all restorations of patients in groups I-III.
CONCLUSION
The use of a modified light-conducting wedge to restore the approximal carious cavities of chewing teeth with photocomposite materials allows for better and longer-term restoration of the contact point in patients with these dental defects.
