Placement and Replacement of Amalgam and tooth colored restorations: A challenge for developing nations.

The study investigated the usage of restorative materials in Nigeria, the reasons for the usage and the longevity of the used materials. A cross sectional study on 370 odd numbered attendees aged 18 years and above referred to the Restoration clinic for placement or replacement of 450 restorations was done by two experienced dentists over 9 months. While class II cavity was prepared most often, primary and secondary caries were responsible most often for placement and replacement, respectively. Furthermore, replacements due to secondary caries occurred most often in class II cavities, while amalgam was both the most durable and the most often used material. Public campaign against primary and secondary caries, with attention to the risk group is recommended.