Three-year follow-up of flowable bulk-fill resin restorations in posterior teeth: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial

Objective: This randomized clinical trial evaluated the behavior of restorations with flowable bulk-fill resin composite in posterior teeth three years after the restorative treatment. Methods: Seventeen patients (12 women, 5 men, age 23-59) were selected to have at least two failing amalgam or resin restorations replaced and/or to have a carious lesion restored. The cavities were randomly allocated to receive either the flowable bulk-fill composite Surefil SDR Flow occlusally covered with the conventional nano-hybrid composite Esthet-X HD (bulk and body technique) or filled exclusively with Esthet-X HD placed in 2 mm increments (incremental technique). A two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive was applied in all cavities. Thirty-four Class I or II restorations were performed in posterior teeth (n=17) during baseline. After 03 years, modified USPHS and FDI criteria were used to evaluate the restorations. Data were subjected to Mann-Whitney statistical analysis (p0.05). No restoration failures were observed over time. Conclusion: After 03 years of clinical service, all restorations using a flowable bulk-fill composite in posterior teeth showed an acceptable performance. Clinical Significance: The overall quality of posterior restorations made with the bulk and body technique was similar to that of restorations made with a nano-hybrid composite incrementally placed. *This study was registered in the National Clinical Trials Registry (REBEC – RBR-2g9st7).