[Clinical and long-term scanning electron microscopic studies of composite inlays]

24 composite inlays, which were thoroughly documented for postgraduate education purposes were recalled after 13.3 and 30.5 months on average. The clinical evaluation yielded very good results after 13.3 and good results after 30.5 months, respectively. Marginal gaps were observed in 6.6% at the tooth-composite cement and in 27.1% at the composite cement-inlay-interface after 13.3 months using replica technique and SEM. There values were not significantly different from the findings at 30.5 months. The adhesive failures between inlay and composite cement were preferably located in large, multisurfaced restorations. No significant differences were found between direct immediate inlays and lab-made indirect inlays and between molar and premolar restorations, respectively.