Abstract:
OBJECTIVES : Resin-based composites (RBCs) evolved into favoured materials for teeth restorations, marking a
significant change in dental practice. Despite many advantages, RBCs exhibit various limitations in their physical
and chemical properties. Therefore, we assessed the dentists’ awareness of possible complications after direct
composite restorations and their opinions about this material.
METHODS : The online questionnaire was created in English in May 2023. A 16-item survey was dedicated to
general dentists and specialists. The first section included four questions related to demographic characteristics.
The second section comprised twelve questions and focused on awareness of potential side effects of composite
restorations, the most crucial advantages and disadvantages of composite resins, and the frequency of experienced
clinical complications after the application of composite materials.
RESULTS : A total of 1830 dentists from 13 countries took part in the survey. Dentists most often declared awareness
of low adhesion to the dentine (77.5 %) and, most rarely, solubility in oral fluids (42.6 %). Aesthetics was
identified as the main advantage of composite fillings (79 %), followed by the possibility of repair (59 %) and
adhesion to enamel (57 %). Polymerisation shrinkage was a major disadvantage for most countries (70 %
overall). Analysing the declared potential clinical complications for all countries, statistically significant findings
were obtained for marginal discolouration (OR=2.982, 95 % CI: 1.321–6.730, p-value=0.009) and borderline
significance for secondary caries (OR=1.814, 95 % CI: 0.964–3.415, p-value=0.065).
CONCLUSIONS : Dentists value aesthetics and repairability but are aware of shrinkage and experience discolouration.
The issue of toxicity and solubility seems to be the least known to dentists.
