Clinical Evaluation of 3D-Printed Versus Direct Composite Restorations in Class II Cavities

September 30, 2026 updated by: Mohammed Abd El Ghany Mohammed, Tanta University

The aim of this study is to clinically evaluate the performance of 3D-printed composites compared to direct conventional composite restorations in Class II cavities

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Resin-based composites are widely used for posterior restorations because of their esthetics, adhesion, and conservative preparation. However, Class II restorations remain challenging due to polymerization shrinkage, marginal gaps, postoperative sensitivity, and inadequate proximal contacts. Digital additive manufacturing has emerged as a promising approach, offering precise fabrication, reduced material waste, and customizable restorations. Although laboratory studies suggest favorable mechanical properties and marginal adaptation, clinical evidence for 3D-printed intracoronal restorations remains limited. Therefore, this randomized clinical trial will compare the clinical performance of 3D-printed composite inlays with conventional direct composite restorations in Class II cavities over 24 months.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

30

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Egypt
      • Tanta, Egypt, Egypt, 31511
        • aculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Tanta, Tanta 31527

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

25 years to 40 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Have at least two Class II carious lesions corresponded to ICDAS scores 4 and 5, representing dentinal caries suitable for operative restorative treatment.
  • The absence of ongoing orthodontic treatment or use of prostheses.
  • Good general health without relevant disease.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Uncooperative patient.
  • Any parafunctional habits such as tooth clenching or grinding.
  • Chronic pulmonary diseases and blocked nasal passages.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: 3D-Printed Composite Inlays

Participants will receive Class II restorations fabricated from a commercially available 3D-printable permanent composite resin using a standardized digital workflow. The restorations will be adhesively bonded to the prepared cavities according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Class II cavities will be restored with digitally designed and 3D-printed permanent composite inlays. The restorations will be post-cured and adhesively cemented according to the material manufacturer's recommendations

Active Comparator: Direct Composite Restorations

Participants will receive conventional direct Class II restorations using a commercially available resin-based composite. Restorations will be placed incrementally using a standardized adhesive protocol and light-curing procedure according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Both groups will be clinically evaluated at baseline and during the 18-month follow-up period using standardized clinical criteria.

Class II cavities will be restored directly using a conventional light-cured resin-based composite placed with a standardized incremental technique and adhesive protocol

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Fracture and retention
Time Frame: 18 months

Description: Clinical evaluation of fracture and retentin was conducted in accordance with the World Dental Federation (FDI) criteria by two calibrated examiners at baseline and after 6, 12, and 18 months. Each restoration was evaluated according to the degree of conformity with the established criteria as follows: score 1, excellent; scores 2 and 3, satisfactory; and scores 4 and 5, inadequate. Scores of 1-3 were considered indicative of clinical success, whereas scores of 4 or 5 were considered indicative of failure.

18 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

May 26, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

November 28, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

November 30, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 30, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 30, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

October 6, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

October 6, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 30, 2026

Last Verified

September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 3D-Printed & Direct Composite

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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