In vivo occlusal wear of posterior composite restorations

The available and proposed methods for determining the in vivo occlusal wear values of classes 1 and 2 restorations made of resinfilled composite materials are critically reviewed. A methodology to be used to address the fundamental question of the link between the wear of the in vivo restorations and the relevant mechanical properties of the materials is outlined. For the four commercial formulations of composite materials which are currently "fully acceptable" to the American Dental Association (Estilux Posterior, Ful-Fil, Occlusin, and P-10), analysis of the published clinical wear values versus time data is performed.