An evaluation of finishing procedures for resin-bonded porcelain inlays

Marginal finishing procedures that are associated with the restorative technique utilizing resin-bonded sintered feldspathic porcelain inlays are described. Excess dual-cure composite resin luting cement is best removed from the restoration margins after complete visible light polymerization has occurred. Finishing procedures which remove excess resin and refine the marginal profiles of porcelain inlays are ideally performed with finishing diamonds (10-15 micron particle size), finishing burs (30 bladed), and aluminum oxide disks and strips. Polishing to eliminate scratches and surface roughness can be effectively accomplished with diamond polishing pastes (two micro particle size or less) in webless rubber caps. The selection of the size and shape of a particular finishing instrument is determined by the profile and accessibility of the restoration margin.