The bond strength of composite laminate veneers.

ABSTRACT

An in vitro model has been developed simulating a composite laminate veneer restoration, along with methods to mimic the environmental conditions to which these restorations are subjected in vivo. Fifty composite laminate specimens were prepared Ten were left untreated as controls, and 40 were exposed to simulated environmental conditioning. The tensile bond strength of the veneer-to-composite interface was significantly reduced by both thermal and humidity cycling, which may explain the increasing prevalence of marginal failure and staining which occurs as these restorations age in vivo.