A randomized 5-year clinical evaluation of 3 ceramic inlay systems.
OBJECTIVE
The present follow-up study aimed to evaluate the clinical quality and longevity of 3 ceramic inlay systems and compare them with gold inlays.


METHODS
Twenty patients were treated with one Cerec, one Mirage, one Empress, and one gold inlay, respectively, inserted in a randomly selected order in the mandible. The inlays were examined independently by 2 calibrated examiners immediately after and 1, 3, and 5 years after luting. The inlays were rated using the California Dental Association (CDA) quality evaluation system.


RESULTS
Two Empress inlays required replacement because of fracture between examination (Ex) 1 and Ex 2, and 2 Empress inlays were fractured between Ex 3 and Ex 4. One Cerec inlay had to be recemented after 3 months, and one Cerec inlay fractured between Ex 3 and Ex 4 and was replaced with a gold inlay. Examination showed that the mismatch of color increased from 15% to 50% between Ex 1 and Ex 4 for all ceramic systems. Visible evidence of ditching along the margin increased from 5% at Ex 1 to 70% at Ex 4, and an apparent discoloration of the margin between the tooth and the restoration was seen in 0% to 5% at Ex 1 compared to 30% to 55% at Ex 4.


CONCLUSIONS
Eight percent of the ceramic inlays were fractured during the follow-up period of 5 years. Based on the criteria of the CDA quality evaluation system, 92% of the 60 ceramic inlays and 100% of the 20 gold inlays were rated satisfactory 5 years after luting.
Molin
M K
MK
Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, Department of Odontology/Prosthetic Dentistry, Umeå University, SE 901 87 Umeå, Sweden. margareta.molin@odont.umu.se
Karlsson
S L
SL
D000134:Acid Etching, Dental; D000328:Adult; D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D002484:Cementation; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry; D003116:Color; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D003775:Dental Polishing; D003776:Dental Porcelain / Q000737:chemistry; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D006047:Gold Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid; D007284:Inlays; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D012821:Silanes; D013499:Surface Properties
D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D003188:Composite Resins; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents; D006047:Gold Alloys; C075815:IPS-Empress ceramic; C080875:Mirage; D019279:Resin Cements; D012821:Silanes; D003776:Dental Porcelain; C074543:Cerec; D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid