Can onlay's be an alternative restoration for severely damaged primary teeth

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate indirect compomer and composite resin onlay restorations of severely damaged primary molars in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At the study, 48 restorations, in seven girls and ten boys totally 17 patients aged 4–8, was evaluated clinically with using USPHS criteria for 15 months. RESULTS: The study results revealed that the clinical success rate of compomer and composite onlay restorations was 79% and 96%, respectively. No significant differences were found statistically between the materials. CONCLUSIONS: In the children severely damaged primary molars, onlays are usually worked with an indirect technique in clinics. One of the advantages of indirect technique is being most similar to its original form morphologically.