EFFECT OF DIMENSION OF LUTING SPACE AND LUTING COMPOSITE ON MARGINAL ADAPTATION OF A CLASS-II CERAMIC INLAY

This study evaluated the in vitro marginal quality at the interproxima l cervical margin of class II Cerec restorations. Marginal quality was evaluated separately by (1) SEM analysis before and after simultaneou s thermocycling and mechanical loading for the integrity of the restor ation surface and (2) dye penetration after thermocycling and mechanic al loading to evaluate the strength of the bond within the depth of th e cavity. The results reveal that marginal integrity is influenced by the width of the luting space and the luting composite. With a luting space of up to 100 mu m, marginal quality with as Little as 3% to 14% loss of adhesion can be obtained. Luting spaces greater than 100 pm ca n partially be compensated by the luting composite. For Cerec inlays, highly filled luting composites with a high viscosity are recommended.