Cost effectiveness in silver versus gold restorations of cusp failures.

Abstract

A model of cusp breakdown in the eight functional molars and eight bicuspids of career officers in military service was developed on the basis of empirical data obtained from complete dental histories of career personnel. Using this model and cost estimates of materials and labor, it was determined that the expected cost of silver restorations will exceed the expected cost of a gold restoration at a minimum service life of twenty years with the expected cost of silver restorations becoming increasingly larger than a gold restoration as service life increases.