Assessment of the preferred restorative material – composite resin or ceramic – for anterior teeth restoration

Resumo

To evaluate the perception of clinicians and undergraduate students concerning their preferences and experience in using composite resin and ceramic veneers to restore anterior teeth restorations. Material and methods: 60 participants including clinicians (n=30) and undergraduate students (n=30) volunteered for this study. The study consisted of two parts. Firstly, the participant answered questions about their use and possible failure of ceramic or composite resin for anterior teeth. In the second part, participants analyzed 3 photographs of the anterior smile and reported on the presence of healthy teeth or restored teeth, with composite resin or ceramic veneers. Results: For both groups, composite resin was frequently used over ceramic and the most important reported factor in this decision choice was the cost factor. Both groups presented a failure percentage higher than 50% for composite resin, and this percentage was higher for undergraduate students. In the visual analysis of the photographs, none of the participants identified all the restorations correctly. Conclusion: Composite resin is the most common material of choice for clinicians and undergraduate students. Distinguishing natural teeth from restored teeth has become increasingly difficult, despite the restorative material (composite resin or ceramic) used.