Aim: To evaluate the performance of an anterior hybrid composite resin restorative material (Opalux).
Design: Single-centre clinical trial.
Materials and methods: Scores were obtained based on USPHS criteria for marginal adaptation, anatomic form, colour match, surface roughness and marginal discolouration.
Interventions: The restorative material was evaluated in suitable cavities in 24 patients (12 male, 12 female). Ethical permission and consent were obtained.
Main outcome measures: Baseline data was collected on 44 restorations (25 Class III, 3 Class IV, 16 Class V) and reviewed independently by two of the three clinicians who contributed to the study who then reached a consensus score. Restorations were reviewed and scored in the same way at 3 months and 1, 2, 3 and 8 years.
Results: The total number of alpha ratings at baseline and review (3 months and 1, 2, 3 and 8 years) appointments for the following parameters were: marginal adaptation (33, 28, 29, 27, 12, 17), anatomic form (39, 30, 32, 26, 17, 15), surface roughness (34, 26, 24, 23, 11, 4), colour match (24, 25, 26, 24, 15, 12) and marginal discolouration (39, 31, 30, 25, 10, 9). The incidence of secondary caries was very low. Life table analysis suggests a 73% survival, with no scores below B, at 8 years.
Conclusions: The majority of these restorations continued to perform satisfactorily. Although this particular material is no longer available, these results may be applicable to currently available similar materials.