There are no major differences in failure rates between traditional metal fillings and newer composite resin fillings, say researchers.
The study in the open-access journal Frontiers in Medicine, did find that people who drink alcohol or men who smoke are more likely to lose fillings.
Also, that genetic differences may account for why some people are more prone to losing fillings.
Tooth Decay
Fillings can fall out for a variety of reasons, including continuing tooth decay or the filling becoming detached from the tooth. But there has been no consensus for whether newer composite resin fillings are as durable as amalgam fillings which contain the toxic metal, mercury.
To investigate this, researchers from the US and Brazil analysed dental records of 4,856 patients in Pittsburgh. The records contained information on when teeth were filled and the rate of failure up to 5 years after the initial procedure.
Metal and Composite Fillings
They found that failure rates of amalgam and composite restorations were similar. Out of 612 amalgam fillings, 9.76% failed during the first year, compared with 9.85% of the 198 composite fillings.
However, after up to 5 years, composite fillings slightly outperformed amalgams.
They say this suggests “that composite resins can fully substitute dental amalgams in routine dental practice”.
Genetic Differences
Using patient DNA samples contained in the database, the researchers were able to demonstrate a link between filling failures and a difference in the gene for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP2), an enzyme found in teeth.
The researchers hypothesise that MMP2 might be able to degrade the bond between the filling and the tooth surface, making failure more likely. However, they say further research is needed to prove cause and effect.
SOURCES:
A Pragmatic Study Shows Failure of Dental Composite Fillings is Genetically Determined: A Contribution to the Discussion on Dental Amalgams, Vieira A et al, Frontiers in Medicine
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar