Leucite-reinforced glass ceramic inlays after six years: Wear of luting composites

Wear of luting composites is still an unsolved problem with adhesive inlays . However, only limited clinical research has been conducted regarding this phenomenon. This study evaluated the substance loss within the luting gap over a six-year period in vivo. In the course of a controlled prospective c linical study, 16 patients received 39 Class-II IPS Empress inlays. Varioli nk Low (Vivadent; n=18) was used as conventional low-viscosity luting compo site, the hybrid-type restorative resin composite Tetric (n=21; Vivadent) w as applied according to the ultrasonic insertion technique. The restoration s were clinically assessed after 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 months and replic as were made. The contact-free occlusal areas of the replicas were scanned by use of a computer-controlled profilometer (Perthen S3P), the analysis of the data was computed using a newly developed software (Xpert for Windows 95) and statistically analyzed with non-parametric tests. After six months all restorations exhibited marginal ditching. The percentage of detectable luting gap abrasion increased between each recall appointment (32% after si x months, 48% after 12 months, 46% after 24 months, 55% after 36 months, 59 % after 48 months and 65% after 72 months). Except for the 48-months result s, no significant difference between the materials used for luting was evid ent (p>0.05). Between the width and the depth of the luting space a linear regression was computed. The quantitative evaluation clearly demonstrated t hat hopes of relevantly reduced wear of luting composites were not confirme d when using the higher filled luting material.