Evaluation of three repair methods for wedge shaped defects

Objective To compare the clinical effects of different materials and methods in restoration of wedge-shaped defect. Methods Eighty patients with 310 wedge-shaped defects treated in our department from May 2014 to May 2015 were selected. Dentin hypersensitivity was the only symptom without pulpitis in all cases. The patients underwent ultrasound scaling and sandblasting one week before repair and they were randomly divided into three groups: group A were restored by 3M glass-ionomer; group B were restored by light-cured composite resin; group C were restored by 3M glass-ionomer+light-cured composite resin. The patients were followed up for 12 months, and the restoration effects were compared and the causes of failure were analyzed. Results The success rate of repair in group C was 88.3%, which was significantly higher than 77.1% of group A and 74.5% of group B (P＜ 0.05, respectively), while there was no significant difference between group A and group B (P＞ 0.05). Conclusion Sandwich technique with 3M glass-ionomer+light-cured composite resin is an effective therapy in preventing postoperative sensitivity, decreasing the rate of filling body fracture and maintaining the integrity of the filling body, which is better than the restoration methods with only lightcured composite resin or 3M glass-ionomer.