Relative gap formation of resin-cemented ceramic inlays and dentin bonding agents

The effect of dentin bonding agents (DBAs) on contraction gap formation at the cavity floor of resin-cemented ceramic inlays was investigated. Cylindrical dentin cavities were pretreated with one of 12 DBAs before luting of ceramic inlays with a dual-curing resin cement. Measurements of cross sections revealed that mean gap widths were reduced between 21% and 80% compared with control specimens prepared without a DBA. The extent of the gap reduction depended on the type of bonding agent. None of the dentin bonding agents tested were able to completely eliminate development of interfacial gaps.