Variation in the thickness of the composite lute with an indirect composite inlay system

The findings of an initial investigation of variations in the thickness of the composite lute around inlays of a fine particle hybrid, light- and secondary-cured indirect composite resin inlay system are reported. The lute thickness varied between 10 microns and 90 microns, and was found to be thinnest and most uniform in the region of occlusal cavosurface margins. Although the marginal adaptation of the inlays investigated was generally considered to be satisfactory, sections of the lute were found to exhibit porosity and to contain a number of voids. It is concluded that whilst the lute thickness and marginal adaptation of composite bonded inlays of the type investigated may be found to be acceptable, further work is desirable to investigate ways to limit porosity and voids in lutes and to form and finish the cavomarginal elements of tooth-coloured inlays in such a way that the limiting layer of luting material may be better protected from the rigors of function in the oral environment.