A 3-YEAR CLINICAL FOLLOW-UP-STUDY OF A CERAMIC (OPTEC) INLAY SYSTEM

To evaluate the clinical quality of ceramic (Optec) inlays, the inlay production of 10 dentists, served by 3 dental laboratories, was examin ed independently by 2 calibrated examiners. Of the 57 patients with 20 5 inlays participating in the first examination, 47 patients with 145 remaining inlays participated in the 3-year follow-up reexamination. F or 14 of the participants in the reexamination, altogether 21 inlays h ad fractured. The mean time in service before fracture was 26.4 months (range, 12-53 months). The inlays were rated using the California Den tal Association (CDA) quality evaluation system. This examination show ed that the mismatch of color had increased from the first examination to the reexamination and registered slightly roughened surfaces. As t o anatomic form, a reduced number of inlays did not receive an excelle nt CDA rating at the reexamination. Visible evidence of ditching along the margin had increased by almost 50%, and an apparent discoloration of the margin between the restoration and the tooth structure was see n in 73% of the reexamined inlays, compared with 7% at the first exami nation.