Clinical evaluation of a universal adhesive in total-etch and selective-etch modes in the restoration of non-carious cervical lesions in Nigerian adults

Background: Non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) are among the most frequent pathologies that affect dental structures affecting the middle-aged and elderly population, compromising their aesthetics and function (dentinal hypersensitivity). Objectives: To determine clinical performance of a universal adhesive in total-etch and selective-etch modes in the restoration of non-carious cervical lesions in adult teeth. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled clinical study was carried out at the Conservative Clinic of the Department of Restorative Dentistry, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos State. Thirty teeth were studied for each intervention; they were randomized into two groups based on the application modes: total-etch and selective-etch. The researcher diagnosed, selected (conforming to inclusion criteria) and treated the patients, but evaluated by examiners. Scotchbond Universal was used and Filtek supreme ultra-universal composite resin was used as the final restorative material. The restorations were evaluated at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months for marginal staining, retention, marginal adaptation, patient’s view, post-operative sensitivity and recurrence of caries using FDI criteria. Patients and evaluators were blinded Data were analyzed using SPSS, IBM version 25.0. Chi-square test and Fischer’s exact test were used to assess association between categorical data, while clinical outcome at different follow up interval were assessed using McNemar test. P-value was set at 0.05. Results: Restorations in total-etch and selective-etch groups were comparable in their clinical performances in marginal staining, but at 6 and 12 months in the total-etch group, there was a score 3 in marginal staining. There was a score of 3 in retention at 12 months in selective-etch. The patient’s view was relatively the same throughout the study in both groups. Statistically, there was no significant difference in any of the parameters evaluated for both groups (P ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: The clinical performance of universal adhesive in both total-etch and selective-etch modes were both satisfactory in the restoration of non-carious cervical lesions throughout the evaluation period. Both techniques are suitable for the placement of resin composites in non-carious cervical lesions ‘restoration.