Marginal breakdown of 5-year-old direct composite inlays.
OBJECTIVE
The marginal fit of tooth-coloured inlays luted with composite resin luting materials has been considered to be the weak link of the inlays. The marginal breakdown of 5-year-old direct composite resin inlays was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy.


METHODS
Replica impressions were made of the occlusal, axial-proximal and accessible cervical-proximal margins of 21 inlays and the marginal quality was quantified.


RESULTS
More than 84% of the total investigated length of the enamel/luting composite agent-luting composite/composite inlay interfaces revealed gap free margins. Proximal margins showed the largest breakdown at the enamel/composite resin interface, while the occlusal margin interfaces showed only a slight difference between the interfaces. The composite inlay and the luting composite resin showed a similar degree of wear in more than 50% of the evaluated marginal length. Medium gap width varied between 60 microns for the occlusal and axial-proximal and 87 microns for the cervical-proximal margins, with a range of 7.6-266 microns.


CONCLUSIONS
The direct composite inlays investigated showed good marginal integrity after 5 years in clinical service.
van Dijken
J W
JW
Department of Cardiology, Dental School, Umeå University, Sweden.
Hörstedt
P
P
D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000145:classification; D003738:Dental Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D019554:Dental Restoration Wear; D006801:Humans; D007284:Inlays; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016628:Replica Techniques; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors
C069351:Brilliant Direct-Inlay resin; D003188:Composite Resins; D003738:Dental Cements; C069353:Brilliant Dentin resin; C072541:Duo Cement; D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate