Three-year clinical evaluation of cuspal coverage with combined composite-amalgam in endodontically-treated maxillary premolars

Abstract

This clinical study evaluated the clinical performance of cuspal coverage with combined composite-amalgam restorations in endodontically-treated maxillary premolars over a three-year period. Thirty-six maxillary premolars, each with a Class II cavity in 36 patients ranging in age between 28 and 52 years, were selected after endodontic treatment. After reduction of the buccal and palatal cusps, internal coverage and veneering of the reduced buccal cusp was performed with composite. The remaining cavity and reduced palatal cusp were restored with high-copper amalgam. The restorations were evaluated at baseline and in one-, two- and three-year recalls with USPHS criteria. Changes in characteristics of the restorations were analyzed with the Cochran Q-test at a significance level of p < 0.05. Most of the restorations received an overall score of alpha, except two restorations, which showed a slight discrepancy at the composite-amalgam interface after one year (p > 0.05). Four restorations exhibited slight discoloration of the composite veneering after three years (p < 0.05). No restoration exhibited fracture after three years. It was concluded that combined composite-amalgam cusp coverage of endodontically-treated maxillary premolars showed acceptable clinical performance after three years.