Survival time of Class II molar restorations in relation to patient and dental health insurance costs for treatment

Abstract

The aim was to evaluate the median survival time (MST) of direct molar class II restorations (glass ionomer, composite, amalgam) in the Nordic countries and the initial cost, as well as, the theoretical cost per year of function of treatment for patients, Social Insurance Office (SI), and total cost, at Public Dental Services (PDS) in Sweden. Restoration longevity studies conducted in general practice settings in the Nordic countries were used to calculate the MSTs of class II restorations. The initial costs were based on fee schedules from all PDS in Sweden. The MSTs of class II molar restorations in Nordic general practices were shortest for glass ionomer and longest for amalgam. Glass ionomer molar class II restorations had the lowest and composite restorations had the highest initial total cost at PDS in Sweden. The highest theoretical cost per year of function was seen for composite restorations. Amalgam restorations seem to have the longest functional lifetime in Nordic general practices and the lowest theoretical cost per year of function for the patients at PDS in Sweden.