FILLER CONTENT AND GAP WIDTH AFTER LUTING OF CERAMIC INLAYS, USING THE ULTRASONIC INSERTION TECHNIQUE AND COMPOSITE RESIN CEMENTS - AN IN-VITRO STUDY

The effect of ultrasonic insertion on the filler content and the gap w idth for two brands of composite resin luting agents, intended for lut ing with the ultrasonic insertion technique, were studied after MOD ce ramic inlays (Cerec) had been placed. In addition, the internal and ma rginal gap widths were determined after MOD ceramic inlays (Celay) had been luted on extracted premolars with this technique. No statistical ly significant differences (P>0.05) were observed for either brand bet ween the filler content obtained from the internal surfaces, from the excess luting agent, or from the luting agent as delivered. There were no statistically significant differences (P>0.05) between the final i nternal and marginal gap widths when the two brands of luting agent we re compared with each other. Except for the final occlusal and interna l gap widths obtained for the inlays luted with the Sono-Cem luting ag ent, no statistically significant differences (P>0.05) were observed b etween the gap widths at the different locations determined. Thus, the ultrasonic insertion technique used did not significantly influence t he filler ratio of the hybrid luting agents studied. Judged by the fin dings in this study, the properties of luting agents seem to greatly i nfluence the final marginal and internal gap widths.