Evaluating the Clinical Performance of Direct Composite Restorations Using the FDI World Dental Federation Criteria: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Background: Direct composite restorations are widely used for conservative and esthetic restoration of anterior and posterior teeth. The FDI World Dental Federation criteria provide standardized assessment of their esthetic, functional, and biological condition. Objective: To evaluate the clinical acceptability of direct composite restorations using selected FDI criteria and compare ratings between anterior and posterior restorations. Methods: This multiclinic cross-sectional study evaluated 217 direct composite restorations in patients attending private dental clinics over four months. Surface luster, anatomical form, marginal staining, fracture and retention, marginal adaptation, radiographic examination, postoperative sensitivity or vitality, secondary caries, tooth integrity, and adjacent mucosa were scored from 1 to 5. Scores 1–3 were classified as clinically acceptable and scores 4–5 as clinically unacceptable. Frequencies and percentages were calculated, and anterior and posterior restorations were compared using Pearson’s chi-square test. Results: Acceptability ranged from 65.4% for surface luster and marginal staining to 85.3% for adjacent mucosa. Anterior restorations showed greater acceptability for fracture and retention (77.4% vs. 65.3%) and marginal adaptation (77.4% vs. 64.5%). Marginal adaptation was the only nominally significant location-based comparison (OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.03–3.47; p = 0.040). Conclusion: Most restorations were clinically acceptable at assessment. Location-related differences were predominantly descriptive and should be interpreted cautiously because the analyses were cross-sectional, unadjusted, and exploratory
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