Does the cycle of rerestoration lead to larger restorations?

Abstract

The common practice of rerestoring teeth has been termed the "cycle of rerestoration." Some researchers and clinicians have speculated that this cycle results in teeth receiving progressively larger restorations. In this study involving 1,337 decisions to replace existing restorations in posterior teeth, the authors noted that 70 percent of all recommendations resulted in an increased number of restored surfaces. This observed increase in restoration size raises questions about the effects of the rerestoration cycle on the health of a tooth and suggests that practitioners should attempt to avoid premature rerestoration since it could hasten the cycle.