Longevity of ceramic inlays and onlays luted with a solely light-curing composite resin.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the longevity of heat-pressed glass ceramic inlays and onlays luted with solely light-curing composite resin.


METHODS
The records of patients who had received a ceramic inlay or onlay at the Heidelberg University Department of Conservative Dentistry from 1993 to 2002 were evaluated. The mean observation time and the survival probability of the ceramic inlays and onlays was calculated with the aid of the Kaplan-Meier algorithm. This was done for the total number of all restorations as well as for various subgroups (number of surfaces, tooth type, endodontic condition at the time that the ceramic restoration was incorporated, experience of operator). The log-rank test was used to compare groups and look for significant differences, and p<0.05 was set to be statistically significant. In addition, 95% confidence intervals of the survival probability values were computed.


RESULTS
At the time of the last observation, 783 (96.7%) of these restorations were still in place. The mean observation period for all ceramic restorations was 17.3 months (SD 20.2), with an observation interval of between 0 and 116 months. The last loss of a ceramic restoration was observed 45 months after it had been placed, so that the survival probability of all ceramic restorations amounted to p=0.90 (95% confidence interval 0.86-0.94) from this time onward. Factors such as endodontic condition of tooth, type of tooth, position of tooth, extent of restoration, experience of operator or gender of patient had no significant influence on the survival probability of the ceramic restorations.


CONCLUSIONS
Heat-pressed glass ceramic inlays and onlays can be used successfully in routine clinical therapy. In addition, this type of inlays and onlays can be placed successfully with solely light-curing composite resin.
Schulte
Andreas G
AG
Department of Conservative Dentistry, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. andreas_schulte@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Vöckler
Alexander
A
Reinhardt
Rüdiger
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D001641:Bicuspid; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007284:Inlays; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar; D044367:Phase Transition; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D003188:Composite Resins; C075815:IPS-Empress ceramic; D019279:Resin Cements; C090969:Tetric; D003776:Dental Porcelain