ABSTRACT
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Clinical failure rates reported for acid etched/resin-bonded ceramic restorations are significantly lower than those reported for restorations luted with traditional cements. This improved clinical performance may be associated with greater adaptation of the resin cements to the ceramic surfaces. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine whether the use of resin cements accompanied by acid etching results in improved adaptation when compared with the use of zinc phosphate or glass ionomer cements. RESULTS: The results of this experiment indicate that superior adaptation of cement to ceramic is produced by acid etching and luting with resin cement. In addition, the results lead to the hypothesis that the high clinical failure rates reported for zinc phosphate or glass ionomer luted restorations are due either to incomplete adaptation or to failure within the cement. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that the use of resin cements accompanied by acid etching of the ceramic surface is the preferred technique for clinical placement of all-ceramic restorations.
