Radiographic assessments of Class II resin composite inlays.

Radiographic evaluations of indirect Class II resin composite inlays, shortly following their placement are presented. One hundred and eighty restorations of 'standard' conservative size were recorded using a beam-aiming device. Four radiographic characteristics were assessed of which the most important were: cervical marginal adaptation, voids in the material, and radiolucencies adjacent to the restoration. In comparison with amalgam restorations influencing factors are studied, and differences with direct resin composite restorations of a previous study are discussed. The inlays showed more deficiencies in cervical marginal adaptation than the amalgams (74 percent and 32 percent, respectively). Radiolucencies adjacent to the restorations and voids in the resin material were observed. The marginal adaptation appeared to show less deficiencies with two-surface than with three-surface restorations. Regarding the resin restorative materials, the limited radiolucency of one of the luting cements is discussed with respect to marginal adaptation. Comparison with direct restorations revealed a somewhat greater number of deficiencies in the cervical margins of indirect inlays.