Computer-designed inlays after 5 years in situ: clinical performance and scanning electron microscopic evaluation

Eight mesio-occlusodistal adhesive inlays, fabricated from ceramic blocks using a computer-aided design/machining method, were reexamined after 5 years of clinical service. The inlays wre evaluated according to modified US Public Health Service criteria. The results indicated excellent clinical performance, with eight Alfa ratings for wear, recurrent caries, and color match, and five Alfa and three Bravo for marginal discoloration and marginal integrity. Under scanning electron microscope, 81.0% of the tooth-cement interfaces and 84.1% of the cement-inlay interfaces were rated continuous at the occlusal margin. Axially, 73.6% of the tooth-cement interfaces and 87.0% of the cement-inlay interfaces were rated continuous. Although this long-term investigation revealed good clinical performance of the inlays, improvements in the ceramic structure and its properties, the cavosurface design, and the luting composite resin were recently introduced to further optimize quality.