THE NOVEL USE OF EXTRACTED TEETH AS A DENTAL RESTORATIVE MATERIAL - THE NATURAL INLAY

Objective: This preliminary study aimed to find out whether it is poss ible to produce a well fitting Class II inlay from an extracted tooth using a copy-milling technique. Methods: Two pairs of matching sound e xtracted permanent molar teeth were used. The molars were matched for mesio-distal size of the tooth crown and the convexity of the approxim al surfaces. One tooth of each pair was assigned to be the 'donor' too th, the other tooth being the 'host'. MO inlay preparations were made in the host teeth. These were restored with the milled 'Natural Inlays ' produced from the donor teeth using the CELAY system. The restored h ost teeth were sliced and examined using light-microscopy. Results: Th e specimens showed the desired location of enamel and dentine, and a c linically acceptable fit. Conclusion: This study has shown that by usi ng the CELAY milling machine it is possible to 'recycle' extracted tee th for the production of dental restorations. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd.