Objectives: Ceramic inlays have proved to be a long term solution to fill caries defects. Varying from standard clinical procedure there may be some advantages by luting the inlays with an only light curing composite instead of a dual curing composite. Purpose of the present study was to determine whether it is possible to have long term clinical success when luting the ceramic inlays with an only light curing universal composite. Methods: Teeth were prepared for loading with ceramic inlays. Empress I inlays (Ivoclar Comp., Liechtenstein) were performed in a commercial dental laboratory. Before luting rubberdam was placed. The inlays were etched with a 2% hydrofluoric acid for 2 minutes. Following Monobond S (Vivadent Comp., Liechtenstein), a silane coupling agent was used for 1 minute. After enamel etching the dentin bonding agent A.R.T. (Coltene Comp., Switzerland) was used. For luting the universal composite Z100 (3M Comp., USA) was chosen. The inlay was inserted with a special ultrasonic tip. After the inlay was in final position the composite excess could be removed in the absence of a curing process. Afterwards the inlays were light cured for 5 minutes using the Optilux 500 (Kerr Comp., USA)high output curing light with an energy of 700 mW/cm2. 53 restorations were performed between 4/97 and 8/98. The inlays were examined in 8/01 using modified Ryge criteria: Marginal integrity, margin dicoloration, postoperative sensitivity and fractures/failures, endodontic treatment. The decision was made using alpha (A), Bravo (B) and Charlie scores. Results: Marginal integrity A/B/C: 51/2/0; Marginal discoloration A/B/C: 53/0/0; Postoperative sensitivty A/B/C: 51/2/0; Fracture/Failure Yes/No: 0/53; Endodontic treatment Yes/No:2/51. The inlays show excellent results after 30 month. Conclusion: The use of an only light curing composite for adhesive luting of ceramic inlays seems to be a reliable clinical procedure. The restorations of this study should be reexamined after five and ten years.

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