[Composite inlays: clinical and scanning electron microscopic research after a 1-year functional period]

24 composite inlays placed and documented for post-graduate education purposes in 1990 were reassessed clinically and by means of SEM. The clinical examination after 1 year of clinical service gave excellent results. The quantitative SEM evaluation of the marginal adaptation in the replicable areas revealed 6.6% of marginal gaps at the tooth/cement- and 27.1% at the cement/inlay-interface. To be able to compare these findings to the initial situation, additional five inlays were placed and examined in the SEM immediately after placement. This group exhibited next to gap-free margins. The results were selectively analyzed according to fabrication technique, type and localization of the restorations. No significant difference was found among molars and premolars. On the other hand, higher percentages of marginal gaps at the cement/inlay interface were observed with multi-surfaced, indirect lab-made inlays.