Objectives: Ceramic inlays became an esthetic alternative to metallic restorations. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the substance loss of different luting composites for IPS Empress inlays. Methods: In the course of a prospective clinical trial 36 multi-surface IPS Empress inlays were placed in 14 patients. Inlays were luted either with Variolink Low (n=16, low-viscosity composite) or with Tetric (n=20, high-viscosity composite; both Ivoclar Vivadent) according to the ultrasonic insertion technique (EMS Piezon Master 400, Le Sentier, Switzerland). Wear of luting composites was evaluated clinically after 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 months of clinical service (1st - 7th recall = R1 - R7). Additionally, impressions were taken of the restored teeth and a total of 252 dies was manufactured. The substance loss of the luting gap was determined using a profilometer (Perthen S3P, Germany). Analysis of profilometric data was computed with XPert for Windows (University of Erlangen, Germany). Results: The average substance loss depending on gap length (according to Krämer&Frankenberger, Oper Dent 2000) was: R1: 7(6) µm - R2: 13(9) µm - R3: 13(10) µm - R4: 20(12) µm - R5: 21(14) µm - R6: 22(14) - R7: 23(16) µm. R1 vs. R2 and R3 vs. R4 were significantly different (Wilcoxon test, p<0.05). No significant difference between evaluable lengths of luting gaps over the entire period was found (Wilcoxon test, p>0.05). Neither localization of inlays nor type of luting composite showed an influence on the results (Mann-Whitney U test, p>0.05). Conclusion: The quantitative analysis of the luting gap revealed that a better wear resistance assumed for high-viscosity luting composites could not be confirmed. However, up to eight years after clinical use, wear inside the luting gap is not a crucial factor for ceramic inlays.

Back to the Dental Materials: III - Ceramics and Cements Program
Back to the IADR/AADR/CADR 82nd General Session (March 10-13, 2004)

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