Purpose: The failure rates of restorative procedures for children undergoing dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia, performed by pediatric dental residents in advanced educational programs, were evaluated in order to determine treatment outcomes and best practices.
Methods: Retrospective review of 504 dental records of children receiving comprehensive dental treatment under general anesthesia at children's hospitals in Boston between 1990-1992 and in Washington, DC, between 1994-1998, were undertaken. Data regarding restoration outcomes were evaluated using chi square tests with correction for continuity. Only records of patients who returned for follow-up at least six months after their rehabilitations were evaluated. T-tests were performed on parametric data.
Results: Two-hundred and forty-one (48%) of the records were evaluated. Stainless steel crowns (SSCs) had significantly lower failure rates than amalgams (P<0.001, chi2=63). The highest failure rates were seen in composites (P<0.001, chi2=112) and composite strip crowns (P<0.001, chi2=121).
Conclusions: SSCs are the most reliable restorations while composite restorations are the least durable. Failure of restorations appears to be related to follow-up length.