Fracture resistance of lab composite versus all-ceramic restorations in class II inlay cavity preparations: An in vitro study

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the fracture resistance of inlay preparations restored with indirect lab composite, conventional and translucent monolithic zirconia-based ceramics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty freshly extracted human maxillary premolars were selected for the study. Standardized inlay cavities were prepared and restored with indirect lab composite, conventional monolithic zirconia-based ceramic and translucent monolithic zirconia-based ceramic. After restoration each sample was subjected to axial compressive load with Universal testing machine. The force required to induce fracture was recorded in Newton (N). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data were analyzed using the one-way ANOVA test and Post hoc Bonferroni multiple comparison test. RESULTS: Results revealed that fracture resistance of prepared inlay cavities restored with conventional monolithic zirconia-based ceramics was found to be best followed by other groups. Group I > Group IV > Group V > Group III > Group II. CONCLUSION: The fracture resistance of conventional monolithic zirconia-based ceramic inlays and translucent monolithic zirconia-based ceramic inlays were comparable with intact teeth but, indirect lab composite inlays showed lower fracture resistance than all.