Indirect composite restorations for posterior teeth: Few case reports

Background: Modern restorative dentistry offers many methods of restoring the carious teeth. The advancements in adhesive dentistry have brought significant changes in the treatment of caries. Dental composite formulations have been continuously evolving ever since BISGMA was introduced to dentistry by Boven in 1962. The composite materials can be divided into direct and indirect resin composites (IRC). Indirect composite restorations are usually recommended in posterior teeth requiring large restorations. Aim: To evaluate the restorative techniques using indirect composites as a treatment modality for grossly carious molars. Case Description: The first case report presents 25 years old male patient with fractured restoration in maxillary right first molar. The treatment carried out included removal of faulty restoration, vitality testing, tooth preparation for composite inlay, electro-cautery on mesial aspect on the tooth involved to access the gingival floor, making the impression and fabrication and cementation of composite inlay. The second case report presents a 24 years old female patient with wide and subgingival carious lesion on palatal mesial surface of maxillary right second molar. Similar treatment as in the first case was followed, with the addition of electro-cautery on mesial aspect on the tooth involved to access the gingival floor. Discussion: Indirect resin composites offer an aesthetic alternative for large posterior regions. These restorations are capable of reinforcing the remaining tooth structure and these are fabricated in the laboratory. The techniques described for the clinical cases here allow successful restoration of grossly carious teeth using indirect composite inlays. Conclusion: Indirect composite inlay offers good restoration with excellent esthetics and proper interproximal contact. They can improve the deficiencies of direct composites, for example, reduction in polymerization shrinkage. Clinical Significance: The analysis of these case reports demonstrates wide application of indirect composite restorations. This technique allows overcoming some of the limits related with direct restorations and is particularly indicated in posterior teeth.