Abstract
A clinical study of the acid-etch technique for temporary restorations in 32 Nigerian children is reported. The most frequent restoration was that of the fractured incisor. More acid-etch restorations were used on chronological hypoplasia than on tetracycline staining. The maximum period of follow-up of the restorations so far is 24 months. Two cases of gingival inflammation developed due to irritation by a bulky labial facing in two children with chronological hypoplasia and tetracycline staining. The technique was also used successfully to splint a traumatized and mobile lower central incisor tooth for 3 weeks.
After a follow-up period of 12–24 months, results show that over 80 per cent of the acid-etch restorations are still intact. The acid-etch technique with the use of the composite resin Concise is therefore proving to be a suitable and successful semipermanent restoration to solve the problems of aesthetics in the young patient who presents with a fractured incisor, enamel hypoplasia or tetracycline staining of the anterior teeth.