For immediate release
Clinical evidence: EQUIA performs like composite in Class I and Class II fillings
Four-year randomised clinical trial compares EQUIA to composites
Leuven, Belgium (October 2014): Results from an independent four-year randomised clinical trial*
that evaluated the clinical performance of EQUIA were recently published in a leading oral health
journal. The study, led by Professor Sevil Gurgan from the Department of Restorative Dentistry at
Hacettepe University in Turkey, concluded that EQUIA performs like composite in Class I and
Class II fillings, offering a durable solution for posterior restorations.
These findings support the growing evidence of EQUIA’s favourable properties as a long term
restorative solution, highlighting the evolution of glass ionomer restorative materials in recent years
and paving the way for modern dentistry.
Reliable posterior restorations
The clinical trial was conducted on permanent posterior teeth both in Class 1 and Class 2 carious
lesions of young patients with the average age of 24 years. A total of 140 fillings (80 Class 1 and
60 Class 2) in 59 patients were restored with the Glass Ionomer restorative System EQUIA and the
Composite Restorative System Gradia. Two independent examiners evaluated at baseline and at
one, two, three, and four years post restoration according to the modified US Public Health Service
criteria. Polyvinyl siloxane impression negative replicas at each recall were observed under
scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate surface characteristics.
The clinical efficacy of the glass ionomer EQUIA and the composite Gradia Direct Posterior was
determined by evaluating the anatomical form, colour match, marginal discolouration, marginal
adaptation, secondary caries occurrence, and retention at one year and annually for four years.
The trial’s results showed that neither EQUIA nor Gradia restorations were downgraded in
anatomical form, secondary caries, surface texture, postoperative sensitivity, and colour match
during the four years. Based on these results, Professor Gurgan and the team concluded that the
use of both materials for the restoration of posterior teeth exhibited a similar and clinically
successful performance after four years.
“Glass ionomers were introduced to the dental market as a replacement for amalgam restorations,
particularly in Europe where in many countries now, the use of amalgam for tooth restorations decreases
day by day. The demand of patients for non-metallic restorations has also increased a lot in recent years.
The ongoing clinical trial results show that the new generation of glass ionomer or the reinforced glass
ionomer could be used as an alternative to amalgam or other tooth-coloured restorative materials in
permanent dentition,” Professor Gurgan commented.
This is good news for dentists who want to offer their patients a cost-effective and durable
restoration that is aesthetic and also has the oral health benefits of a glass ionomer restorative.
* Academic reference: Four-year Randomised Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Clinical Performance of
a Glass Ionomer Restorative System, Operative Dentistry 2015, 40-1
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