Comparative Evaluation of the Marginal Fit of Inlays Fabricated by Conventional and Digital Impression Techniques: A Stereomicroscopic Study.

CONTEXT

Marginal fit being the prime concern of indirect restorations. Inlays can be either fabricated by conventional technique or computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) techniques. CAD/CAM is the most evolving digital technique with faster, quicker, and precise results.

AIMS

The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the marginal fit of MOD inlays fabricated with two different CAD/CAM methods and conventional fabrication methods.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Mesio-occlusal-distal preparation was done on a maxillary premolar typhodont tooth and divided into the following groups. Group A: 30 inlays were fabricated through the conventional impression technique. Group B: Preparation was scanning using an intraoral scanner followed by subtractive milling (Group B1) and subtractive milling of wax patterns (Group B2). Similarly, subgrouping was carried out for Group C except that an extraoral scanner was used. Occlusal and the cervical marginal fit were assessed using the replica technique and stereomicroscope. One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey honestly significant difference test for determining differences at a 95% level of confidence ( = 0.05).

RESULTS

Group A had the highest marginal discrepancy in comparison to Group B and Group C at occlusal and cervical edges, whereas subtractive milling showed comparatively better results than subtractive milling of wax patterns at cervical edges and similar results at occlusal edges.

CONCLUSIONS

Ceramic inlays fabricated by subtractive milling yielded better results.