Aesthetic inlays: composite or ceramic?

As the aesthetic aspect of dental care becomes increasingly important to patients, the dental practitioner should be aware of the applications and limitations of the various tooth-coloured restorative systems available for the restoration of posterior teeth. Among currently available systems are direct placement resin composites, which may find application in small to medium preparations, and composite or ceramic inlays, which may have wider applications. Similar principles of inlay cavity preparation and restoration placement may be applied to both composite or ceramic systems, with both having the advantage over directly placed composite materials of improved control over anatomic form. Ceramic inlays may provide a high level of wear resistance, but are less simple to construct or repair than composite inlays. While initial clinical trials of composite and ceramic inlays show promise, long-term trials are now required to more fully assess the longevity of these restorations in clinical use.