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Forss H, Widström E. Int J Paediatr Dent 2003; 13: 158–164

During the 1990s, use of paediatric amalgam restorations declined in Scandinavia. This study reported questionnaire responses from 70% of a random sample of 579 dentists in Finnish health centres. During a specified 3 day period in 1997, 2186 restorations had been placed in 1797 children aged < 17yrs.

Main reasons for restorations were primary caries (80% of primary teeth and 83% of permanent), fracture of tooth or restoration (11% and 7%) and secondary caries (8% and 5%). In 956 restorations in primary teeth, 58% were of resin-modified glass ionomer, 39% conventional glass ionomer and 4% composite; mean ages of respective failed restorations were 2 and 2.8 yrs, with composite failures too few for analysis.

Respective percentages in 1230 permanent tooth restorations were: 20%, 20% and 59%, and their mean failure ages: 2.9, 3.5 and 2.2 yrs. There were no amalgams placed in primary teeth; in permanent teeth they were 1% of restorations.