Comparative Assessment of Conventional Composites and Coloured Compomers in Permanent Molars of Children with Mixed Dentition: A Pilot Study

INTRODUCTION: Early treatment of carious lesions in children is important for the maintenance of oral health. Multicoloured restorations could be the impetus for an extremely nervous or defiant child to take dental treatment. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the clinical success of conventional composites and coloured compomer material in first permanent molars of children with mixed dentition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of sixty sites, divided into two groups, with thirty subjects in each group using split mouth design were chosen amongst patients reporting to Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry. In control group conventional composites were placed, similarly coloured compomers were placed in experimental group under standard operating protocol. Patients were recalled for assessment of clinical success amongst control as well as experimental group at regular intervals of one; three and six months follow up based on Modified Ryge's Criteria. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test using SPSS version 20.0 (Chicago, USA). RESULTS: Both conventional composites and coloured compomers had comparable retention rates in terms of anatomical form, marginal integrity, secondary caries and marginal discolouration. CONCLUSION: The coloured compomer material showed promising results in this six month follow up study in permanent molars and had properties comparable to that of conventional composites.