Survival rates of resin composite restorations in loadbearing situations in posterior teeth

The use of resin composite for routine restoration of cavities in posterior teeth is now commonplace, and will increase further following the Minamata Agreement and patient requests for tooth-coloured restorations in their posterior teeth. It is therefore relevant to evaluate the published survival rates of such restorations. A Medline search identified 144 possible studies, this being reduced to 24 when inclusion criteria were introduced. Of these, ten directly compared amalgam and composite, eight were cohort studies, and six were systematic reviews. It was concluded that posterior composites may provide restorations of satisfactory longevity and with survival rates generally similar to those published on amalgam restorations. However, the ability of the operator in placing the restoration may have a profound effect. CPD/Clinical Relevance: With the increasing use of composite for restorations in posterior teeth, it is relevant to note that these may provide good rates for survival.