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Objective: evaluate the survival of adhesive restorations in cavities prepared with partial or total caries removal. Methods: a randomized double-blind clinical trial was conducted. The sample was composed of 107 teeth of 32 children aged 4-8 years who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria set for the trial. These children had deep cavities that covered one or two dental surfaces, which were treated by partial or total caries removal. Radiographic and clinical evaluations were performed every six months for two years. The children involved in the trial and the adults in charge of them also received motivation sessions, training, support and oral hygiene devices on a permanent basis. The data obtained were subjected to Kaplan-Meier survival statistical analysis, and the Log Rank test was used to determine the difference between the treatments. Survival table analysis was performed which included the two treatments at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Results: no significant difference was found between total and partial caries removal techniques (p= 0.61). Survival percentages were found to be 95 % at 6 months, 88 % at 12 months, 81 % at 18 months and 55 % at 24 months. Conclusions: no significant difference was found between the use of partial and total caries removal for cavity preparation for the outcome of restoration survival. Further studies about restoration survival should consider a 30 % dropout rate.