Depth of the cavity and its relationship with the post-operative sensitivity in class I posterior resin composite restorations on molars

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to assess the post-operative sensitivity in different depths of Class I cavities in molars restored with posterior composite resin. It was an Experimental study and was conduct-ed in Fatima Jinnah Dental Hospital, Karachi from May 2010 to October 2010. One hundred and thirty one patients had Class I cavities [depth of cavities between 3-4mm] were selected after clinical and radiographic examination. After rubber dam isolation, Class 1 cavity prepared on molars teeth. Incremental technique was used to restore cavity with posterior composite resin. After finishing the filling, patient was recalled at day 7 to assess post-operative sensitivity with cold and hot stimuli. Data were collected using data collection proforma, were computerized and analyzed by using SPSS [Statistical Package of Social Sciences] version 17. One hundred thirty one patients, 61 male and 70 female formed the study group. The mean age was 29.6 [ +/- 9.004] years. The mean score of post-operative sensitivity was 1.05 for cold [ +/- 0.226] and 1.04 [ +/- 0.192] for hot. The chi-Square test revealed significant results with p- value < 0.000 for cold and < 0.009 for hot, when both stimuli were analyzed with different cavities depths. Deeper cavities in Class I composite resin restorations showed more post-restoration sensitivity as compared to cavities with lesser depth in dentine