Marginal adaptation of direct and indirect restorations through digital radiographs: literature review

ABSTRACT The precise marginal adaptation in dental restorations and dental prosthesis is one of the essential requirements for success and longevity of rehabilitating treatments. Since the presence of marginal cracks can lead to exposure of cementing agent to the oral environment, its consequent dissolution and micro infiltration, resulting in gingival inflammation, caries and pulp lesions. Dental radiographic examinations are used for various purposes, from evaluation and diagnosis of pathologies, caries, periapical lesions, resorptions, to adaptation of restorative materials. Thus, the objective of this present study was to conduct a literature review on the use of digital radiology to evaluate the marginal adaptation of direct and indirect restorations. Relevant findings referring to the associations between digital radiographs and diagnosis of dental prosthesis misfit were reported; along with the history of radiology in Dentistry. It has been concluded that both conventional and digital radiographic methods are effective in detecting marginal defects in direct or indirect restorations.