Repair vs replacement of defective composite restorations: Teaching in dental schools in Indonesia

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this paper is to report the outcome of an investigation of the teaching of repair rather than replacement in the management of defective composite restorations in dental schools in Indonesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The investigation is a cross-sectional study, using a validated questionnaire. The questionnaire sought information on both preclinical and clinical instruction, number and duration of modules, logistics of teaching, clinical requirements and teaching challenges. The data was collected and entered in an Excel spreadsheet. The results were collated and analysed. RESULTS: 34 of the 38 dental schools responded to the survey an 89.4 % response. Most dental schools (n = 22, 65 %) did not provide instruction on restoration repair. 17 (50 %) schools indicated poor experiences with composite repairs and lack of evidence as the principal reasons for their decision. Restoration defects considered appropriate for repair: marginal defects (n = 25,74 %), marginal discolouration (n = 24,63 %), partial loss of the restoration (n = 23,68 %), shade correction (n = 20,53 %), cervical discolouration (n = 10,29 %), discolouration of the labial or occlusal surfaces of restorations (n = 8,24 %), wear (n = 10,29), and discolouration affecting multiple surfaces (n = 7,21 %). Most schools considered repair appropriate for management of fractures of anterior composite restorations (n = 30,88 %), specifically incisal fractures (n = 20,59 %), proximal fractures (n = 21,62 %) and proximal-incisal fractures (n = 15,44 %). Most dental schools (n = 28,82 %) reported teaching the bevelling of preparation margins. CONCLUSION: Dental schools in Indonesia acknowledge the part repair, rather than replacement must play in the management of defective restorations of composite resin, but this is not reflected in the instructions provided to undergraduate dental student in many of the schools. There would be great benefit in the harmonization of instruction in the use of repairs across Indonesia and beyond.