Fired ceramic inlays: a 6-year follow up

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate feldspathic ceramic inlays luted with dual-cured resin composite or glass polyalkenoate (ionomer) cement (GIC) during a 6-year follow-up. Methods: One-hundred and eighteen Class II fired feldspathic ceramic inlays were placed in 50 patients. In each patient half of the inlays were luted with a dual-cured resin composite and the other half with a conventional glass ionomer cement. The inlays were evaluated clinically, according to modified USPHS criteria, at baseline, after 6 months and then annually over a 6-year period. Results: Of the 115 inlays evaluated at 6 years, 12% in the resin composite group and 26% in the GIC group were assessed as having failed. The main reason for failure in both groups was partial fracture or total loss of the inlays. Secondary caries was found to be associated with three inlays in one high caries risk patient. One inlay was replaced because of postoperative sensitivity. Conclusion: A relatively high and increasing failure rate was observed over the 6-year period of the study. The failure rate was more pronounced in the GIC group.