Prevention of postoperative sensitivity in composite restorations

Introduction. Despite the development of restorative dentistry bond between materials and hard dental tissues is still not satisfying and often leads to marginal discoloration, microleakage, secondary caries and postoperative sensitivity. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical efficacy of different liners and oxalate-based desensitizer in preventing the occurrence of postoperative sensitivity. Material and Methods. This clinical study included 120 patients in which two homologous contralateral posterior teeth were restored with composite material and different liners. Patients were divided in three groups, depending on applied liner. In each patient, before the application of composite material in one tooth the liner was placed, while in the other tooth both the desensitizer and the same liner were used. The following liners were used: Calcimol LC, ANA Liner, Fuji II LC; desensitizer: BisBlock and composite material: Ceram-X Mono. Results. Teeth restored using Calcimol LC were the most sensitive after treatment whereas teeth restored with Fuji II LC showed the least postoperative sensitivity (Calcimol LC > ANA Liner > Fuji II LC). In the group of teeth restored with BisBlock postoperative sensitivity was observed in 6.7% restorations, while in the group where desensitizer was not used, sensitivity was noted in 15.8% of cases. There was statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative sensitivity between the group where desensitizer was used vs. group where it was not used (p<0.05). Conclusion. Glass-ionomer cement is more efficient in preventing postoperative sensitivity compared to compomer and light-curable calcium hydroxide in posterior composite restorations. The use of desensitizer reduced significantly the incidence of postoperative sensitivity.