Comparative Analysis of the Clinical Performance of Three Different Inlays Based on Fabrication: An Study.

Context: Novelty in today's dental practice aims at superiority in aesthetics. Dental practitioners address patient anxiety about retaining teeth while maintaining aesthetic appeal. The debate revolves around the best approach to meet their aesthetic and functional needs, leading to the development of various inlay techniques. Choosing between laboratory-processed composite resins and metal-free ceramic restorations has become increasingly complex. Laboratory-processed composites offer similar aesthetics and physical properties to dental ceramics, but ceramic restorations tend to adapt better to cavity preparation.

Aims: This study aimed to compare clinical performance, post-operative sensitivity, marginal discrepancy, interfacial staining, and secondary caries between direct composite inlays, indirect composite inlays, and ceramic inlays, with the null hypothesis being no significant difference.

Methods And Material: The study involved 30 patients aged 18-45 from Bapuji Dental College and Hospital in Karnataka who underwent composite inlays for their posterior teeth. The patients were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the study was approved by the Ethical Committee. Post-operative pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale.

Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test.

Results: Satisfactory results were observed throughout the evaluation, with statistically no significant differences between them but with a more assured performance of the ceramic inlay group and acceptable presentation of the indirect composite inlay group.

Conclusions: Posterior tooth-coloured inlays provide acceptable outcomes, making them reliable candidates for clinical use, and ceramic inlays exhibit better performance rates.