Autoradiographic determination of marginal leakage of a pressed glass ceramic inlay

The marginal integrity and microleakage of pressed glass ceramic inlays were evaluated using autoradiography. IPS/Empress ceramic inlays were fabricated for 10 human molar mandibular teeth. After adjusting the inlays, they were etched with 37% phosphoric acid gel for 30 s and silanized with Monobond S for 30 s. Before cementation with dual cure resin cement the inlays and cavity walls were gently covered with a thin layer of bonding agent. When the cementation process was completed the samples were cycled 300 times between a 55 degrees C hot bath and a 5 degrees C cold bath. The samples were placed in each bath for 60 s, with 5 s intervals between immersions, then the specimens were immersed in an aqueous solution of Ca-45. After 24 h the inlay and tooth assemblies were removed, rinsed with water and placed in cold-cured acrylic resin, then sectioned through the long axis for autoradiographic analysis. According to the penetration of Ca-45, the microleakage level was scored for each section. The results indicated slight penetration of Ca-45 on autoradiographic films.