A comparison of accuracy in seating and gap formation for three inlay/onlay techniques

The accuracy (fit) of MOD inlays of three brands of composite resin was determined by measuring the axial discrepancy (marginal opening in the approximal area). The axial discrepancy varied between 17 and 121 microns. Directly manufactured inlays were more accurate (axial discrepancy: 17-26 microns) than indirectly manufactured inlays (axial discrepancy: 40-121 microns). Inlays of a microfilled resin, SR-Isosit, were less accurate than inlays of two hybrid materials, Brilliant and Estilux Posterior C VS (axial discrepancy: 121 microns vs 44 and 41 microns respectively). There was a tendency for 24-hour-old inlays to be less accurate than 10-minute-old inlays. The formation of marginal gaps due to contraction of the resin cement was assessed in a light microscope on cemented single-surfaced inlays. Gaps were not formed when enamel margins were etched or dentin margins treated with a dentin-bonding agent of high efficacy. Gaps (2.4-5.6 micron) were formed, however, at untreated dentin margins and at margins treated with dentin-bonding agents of low efficacy.