Original

The aim of the study was to examine selection of various restorative materials in children; and the basis for the selection in a group of pediatric dentists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized to obtain demographic information and present the respondents with six hypothetical clinical scenarios for selection of the restorative materials in primary teeth. A total of forty four pediatric dentists (52 % males and 48 % females) completed the questionnaire. Two-third of the respondents were seeing children between age 6 to 14 years. A great majority (89%) reported that a successful alternative of amalgam is available. More than two-third (68%) were using tooth-colored restorative materials more frequently than amalgam. Almost half (45%) of the respondents reported that the most influencing factor in the choice of restorative material for vital primary teeth is cavity design. The choice of restorative materials was discussed more with parents (84%) than children (43%). For Class I and II cavity preparations in primary molars; amalgam was used by 43 % and 50% of the respondents respectively. For restoring two proximal lesions in primary molars; 66 % preferred Stainless Steel Crown (SSC) followed by amalgam (29%). It can be concluded that amalgam is still popular for deep Class I and II cavities; whereas SSC is the most common choice for restoring primary teeth with multiple surfaces carious lesions