DIRECT COMPOSITE INLAYS VERSUS CONVENTIONAL COMPOSITE RESTORATIONS - 3-YEAR CLINICAL-RESULTS

A clinical trial of direct composite inlays versus conventionally (inc rementally) placed restorations made from the same material was starte d in January 1989. Restorations were randomly allocated to matched pai rs of cavities. This study reports the 3-year performance of 71 of the 100 pairs of restorations placed over a 2-year period and followed-up every 6 months. Clinical assessments were made using USPHS criteria ( indirect measurements of occlusal wear were made using Ivoclar standar d dies) and annual bite wing radiographs. Direct inlays showed signifi cantly less occlusal wear than conventional restorations, but the diff erence was small. The clinical performance of both types of restoratio n was similar and compared favourably with studies of other materials. No secondary decay was diagnosed. The direct inlays, however, took lo nger to place and did not reduce postoperative sensitivity or failure rate (8% failure of inlays and 4% of conventional composites over 3 ye ars). Contouring of proximal and occlusal aspects was not facilitated with direct inlays but may be easier with indirect inlays on removable dies.