[Composite polymers--an amalgam substitute for deciduous tooth cavities?].

In this prospective clinical study, 29 class II restorations in deciduous teeth were placed in 17 patients using the recently developed compomer Dyract. The restorations were clinically and macrophotographically evaluated immediately after placement and after 6 months in situ. In addition, marginal adaptation and loss of substance were quantitated using replicas. Clinical and macrophotographical findings were excellent. Quantitative marginal analysis scored 92.5% "continuous margin" immediately after placement of the restorations and 95.4% after 6 months. Mean loss of substance at the margins of the restorations was 20.8 microns with a standard deviation of 64.6 microns. Providing that the positive results of this short term study are confirmed by long term data, Dyract may replace amalgam in deciduous teeth.