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The wall-to-wall contraction of the cementing layer of bonded restorations is compensated for mainly by elastic and plastic tooth substrate-cement deformation but may result in adhesive fracture. Occlusally flattened teeth and corresponding computer-designed onlays, both positioned in a special device, were used to study marginal and internal seal of the adhesive interface with respect to four variables: rigidity of the restoration-substrate setup, cement thickness, adhesive configuration (enamel-dentin ratio and bonding agent), and luting agent. The results of dye infiltration tests revealed the significant influence of the adhesive configuration and rigidity of the setup. A high enamel-dentin ratio, use of a dentinal adhesive on dentinal margins and relative restoration-substrate "mobility" are required to preserve satisfactory marginal seal. However, in the present experimental conditions, no statistically significant differences were found among the diverse cement thicknesses or the luting agents evaluated.

The performance of a new experimental dentin bonding agent (A.R.T. Bond) was evaluated in vitro. Its influence on the marginal seal of mixed class V restorations made on freshly extracted third molars, using 7 different restoration techniques was studied. When using the new dentin bonding agent, the results of the dye penetration test revealed the least dentinal leakage with the direct inlay technique. Dye penetration scores of bulk and incrementally placed restorations were higher, but not significantly different from the direct inlay. The absence of the dentin bonding agent in incrementally placed restorations resulted in significantly higher leakage values.

To assess the resistance to fracture of ceramic inlays, extracted sound human molars were restored with different ceramic materials and glass-ionomer or composite resin luting cement. Compression forces were applied to the specimens until they fractured, and maximal force developed, extent and location of fractures, and the micromorphology of the fractured surfaces were studied. Inlays made of Vitadur N with aluminum oxide profile and bonded with composite resin demonstrated the highest resistance among the restorative combinations, but their resistance was still lower than that of intact (control) teeth. The extent of fracture increased proportionally to the fracture resistance of the specimens. Scanning electron microscopic observation confirmed the effectiveness of the adhesion between composite resin and etched ceramic and the absence of sufficient micromechanical anchoring between glass-ionomer cement and etched ceramic.

The aim of the present in vitro study was to evaluate the marginal adaptation and seal of direct and indirect (inlay) Class II resin composite restorations made with Z100/Scotchbond MP or Herculite/Optibond. The quality of margins in dentin was assessed for restorations made with or without a lining of glass-ionomer cement or resin-modified glass-ionomer material. The restored teeth were submitted to thermocycling and then to replication for scanning electron microscopic observation and to a dye infiltration test. In the present test conditions, the inlay technique proved its superiority over the direct restorative method. The quality of the dentinal margin of restorations made with Z100/Scotchbond MP appeared also slightly better. Both the glass-ionomer cement and the resin-modified glass-ionomer material, when applied as a lining, increased leakage and downgraded marginal adaptation. The full bonding with modern adhesives appeared to be the most efficient way to enhance the marginal quality of both direct and indirect restorations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]