Bonding of luting materials for resin-bonded bridges: clinical relevance of in vitro tests.

ABSTRACT

A retrospective clinical study on 78 resin-bonded bridges placed between 1981 and 1992 was used to validate the wedge test in the assessment of the bonding of resin-based luting material. According to the correlation obtained between the findings of the in vivo and the in vitro studies, the wedge test may be considered to be predictive of the clinical performance of resin bonds. The life expectancy of resin-bonded bridges bonded with the 4 META containing material tested appears to be longer than that for bridges bonded with conventional resin cements.