Clinical evaluation of pin-retained amalgam restorations

Abstract

The use of pins to retain ex- tensive amalgam restorations have been used in clinical situa- tion when large amount of dental structure is lost. Few studies have investigated the clinical performance of pin-retained amalgam restorations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the retention and the clinical performance of pin-retained amalgam restorations, performed by undergraduate students at the Faculdade de Odontologia at Uni- versidade Federal de Pelotas, since 1989. Fifteen patients with 19 res- torations were evaluated. Clinical evaluation was based on USPHS criteria, with the restorations being classified as acceptable or unaccepta- ble. Results demonstrated a retention rate of 63.2%. Higher rate of retention was observed in pre-molars, self- retained pins and retention decreased with restoration aging. From the eva- luated restorations, 18 (94.7%) were classified as unacceptable, however, several of these restorations should not be replaced, but only polished or repaired. Key words: dental amalgam, clinical evaluation, pins.