EFFECTS OF DENTAL FLUOROSIS ON CLINICAL PERFORMANCE AND ACCEPTABILITY OF A COMPOSITE FILLING MATERIAL IN FLUOROSED TEETH OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PATIENTS

Abstract

Chronic excessive exposure to high levels of fluoride can give rise to a developmental problem called dental fluorosis during the development of teeth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical success and acceptability of a composite-resin filling material (Filtek Z250, 3M-ESPE, USA) in fluorosed permanent teeth in children and adolescents over the course of a year. A total of 147 Class-I restorations were performed in the molar teeth of 60 patients aged 9 to 17 years. Tooth fluorosis was classified according to the Thylstrup-Fejerskov index (TFI) (normal: TFI 0, mild: TFI 1-2, moderate: TFI 3-4, severe: TFI 5-7). Restorations were clinically and radiographically assessed immediately following the procedures and in the sixth and twelfth months afterwards according to modified Ryge criteria. The majority of restorations exhibited alpha scores for all evaluated criteria for each TFI group in the twelve-month recall. Only three restorations in the TFI 3-4 group received bravo scores, the criterion for marginal discoloration. Similarly, three restorations in TFI 5-7 group received a bravo score indicating marginal adaptation. Consequently, for fluorosed permanent teeth in children and adolescents, the clinical performance of composite-resin filling material was found to be entirely acceptable up to one year after treatment.