Consultants’ Comments

• “TheraCal LC has become part of my daily practice in the placement of direct restorations.”
• “TheraCal LC is truly effective in preventing the post-operative sensitivity often associated with deeper restorations.”
• “I am convinced that this liner actually helped prevent some root canal treatments.”

Description

The purpose of this clinical study was to determine the clinical performance of TheraCal LC (Bisco Dental Products).

Placement

One-hundred sixty-five restorations were evaluated at placement for:

• Type of tooth
• Level of caries risk
• Type of pulp cap
• Bonding agent and restorative material used
• Patient sensitivity before placement

The types of teeth and types of restorations are indicated in Figures 1 and 2. Eight restorations were noted as being very deep. There were no direct pulp caps. All placements were indirect pulp caps or simply liners under deep restorations or teeth with a history of significant sensitivity. Levels of caries risk are indicated in Figure 3. The teeth were restored using 16 resin composites, two ceramics and 11 self-etching bonding agents.

Results at One Year

Recalled restorations were evaluated in the following categories:

• Postoperative sensitivity as reported by the patient
• Necessity of endodontic treatment
• Percentage of direct and indirect pulp caps that required endodontic treatment
• Percentage of teeth classified by caries risk that required endodontic treatment

Of the 14 restorations eligible for six-month recall, nine were available for evaluation. No postoperative sensitivity was reported by patients. None of the teeth required endodontic treatment. Of the 165 restorations placed, 113 have been in place for six months and 32 restorations are eligible for one-year recall. Eight restorations were noted as deep. Three of these later required a root canal treatment after six months. One tooth was extracted due to a large fracture.

Summary

TheraCal LC had excellent performance at six months and one year. No postoperative sensitivity was observed at six months or one-year after placement in 98% of the restorations. Of the three teeth (2%) requiring endodontic treatment, all were originally noted as being deep fillings. None of the restorations placed over TheraCal LC debonded or showed signs of marginal discoloration. TheraCal LC received a 98% clinical rating at the one-year recall.