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Figure 1. Preoperative occlusal view of a maxillary left second premolar with recurrent decay that was previously restored with a gold inlay restoration. |
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Figure 2. Proximal caries was removed on the mesial and distal aspect of the premolar, and an inlay preparation design was completed. The preparation was cleaned with a 2% chlorhexidine and rinsed with water. |
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Figures 3a and 3b. The internal surface of the laboratory-processed composite inlay was microetched with silicate ceramic sand (Rocatec/Cojet System [3M ESPE]) for to 2 seconds and air-dried (a). A silane coupling agent (Silane primer [Kerr]) was applied to the internal surface of the restoration with a brush and then air-dried (b). |
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Figure 4. The preparation was etched for 15 seconds with a 37.5% phosphoric acid semi-gel (Gel Etchant [Kerr]), rinsed for 5 seconds, and lightly air-dried. |
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Figure 5. A thin layer of adhesive was applied to the preparation with an applicator for 20 seconds with continuous motion, lightly air-thinned for 5 seconds, and light-cured for 10 seconds per surface. |
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Figure 6. A resin cement (NX3 Nexus [Kerr]) was injected into the entire preparation, and the restoration was positioned firmly in place. The excess resin cement was removed with a No. 000 sable brush using the “wet brush” technique. This procedure involved applying a small amount of bonding resin to the tip of the sable brush, then wiping it over the restorative interface to remove any excess resin cement. (Note: A residual amount of resin cement is left at the interface to compensate for polymerization shrinkage.) |
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| Figure 7. Postoperative view of the definitive restoration. Note the harmonious integration of the composite resin with the existing tooth structure. |
