Evaluation of Marginal Fit of Three Different Interim Restoration Materials - An In-vitro Study

Introduction: The aim of this experimental in-vitro study was to evaluate and compare marginal accuracy of interim restorations made with three chemically different  interim materials one hour after fabrication and at one week interval. Methods: Twenty samples from each group with a total of sixty were fabricated on a customized metal die. The three test groups were as below; Group A - Protemp TM 4 (3M ESPE AG Dental Products, Germany), a bis-acrylic based self-cure temporary material; Group B - Revotek LCTM (GC Dental Products Corp., Japan), a urethane dimethacrylate based light cure temporary material and Group C - Tuff-Temp™ Plus (Pulpdent Corporation, U.S.A), a rubberized-urethane based dual cure temporary material. All samples were stored in artificial saliva and evaluated for marginal discrepancy using a stereomicroscope, one hour and one week after fabrication. Statistical analysis was done using one way ANOVA test and Tukeys Post-hoc tests. Results: Statistical significant difference existed between three groups after one hour (p <0.001) and after one week (p <0.001), Tuff-Temp™ Plus showed the least marginal discrepancy (at one hour =192.3± 0.75µm; at one week = 242.69 ± 5.64µm), while Revotek LCTM (at one hour = 232.52± 0.48µm; at one week = 293.68 ± 3.75µm) had the highest discrepancy. Conclusions: Tuff-Temp™ Plus showed higher marginal accuracy followed Protemp TM 4 and Revotek LCTM at one hour and one week interval.