This study evaluated in vitro microleakage of inlays made by direct or indirect techique with or without fiber reinforced composite (FRC) substructure.
Standardized mesio-occlusal cavities were prepared and restored using direct-technique with composite resin only or FRC-composite resin, and indirect technique with laboratory composite only or FRC-laboratory composite resin. After thermocycling, teeth were immersed in basic fuchsin dye, sectioned and examined under a stereo-microscope (x40).
No differences of cement thickness and dye penetration were found in gingival area (p>0.05), whereas microleakage revealed statistical differences between groups (p=0.02) in occlusal area, where FRC-groups had lower microleakage than composite restorations. Thickness of cement layer did not show significant difference between groups with indirect technique (p>0.05).