Tooth-colored inlays

There is an increasing need for conservative treatment with tooth-colored inlay restorations due to esthetic concerns and the decreasing acceptance of amalgam. The use of ceramic materials has become possible by using adhesive luting techniques, in which enamel and ceramic inlays are etched and luted with composite resins. The weakest point is still the poor tensile strength of brittle inlay materials, so most efforts are concentrated on strengthening porcelains by ion exchange, tempering, or improving the composition. Despite the fact that adhesively luted inlays show good marginal adaptation, the luting composite layer is worn out because of the low filler fraction of the resins. For composite inlays, the same resins are used as for direct placement. Despite more effective curing techniques, the wear behavior of composite inlays may have been improved, but it is still less than ideal. In clinically orientated studies, it is clearly demonstrated that the luting procedure is technically sensitive with all systems. The clinical experience is limited to only a few years, so to assess the longevity of adhesively luted inlays, more clinical studies must be done. However, tooth-colored inlays are the most esthetic, conservative restorations dentistry has ever offered its patients.