Purpose: To evaluate the effect of different curing protocols on marginal adaptation of ceramic inlays after thermomechanical loading (TML). Materials and Methods: Forty-eight human molars were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 8). After Class II cavity preparation (mod), ceramic inlays (Cerec) were fabricated. In groups I to IV, the cavities were conditioned with XP Bond mixed with Self Cure Activator (SCA) and the inlays were placed with the luting composite (LC) Calibra Mix (dual curing). The teeth in groups V and VI were conditioned with XP Bond without SCA and the inlays were placed with Calibra base (only light curing). In groups III, IV and V the adhesive was separately light cured prior to, and in groups II, IV, V and VI, after the inlay insertion. Before and after TML, marginal adaptation was measured using scanning electron microscopy (200X). Continuous margins (% of the total) were compared between groups using analysis of variance (ANOVA). A Bonferroni correction was applied to correct for multiple testing (α 0.005). Results: Light curing after inlay insertion improved marginal adaptation on the occlusal interface between LC and enamel significantly, regardless of the LC's curing mode. Separate light polymerization of XP Bond did not result in superior marginal quality. Investigation of the interface between LC and proximal dentin margins showed improved adaptation by dual curing the adhesive and LC, irrespecive of light application. Conclusion: Light curing after inlay insertion showed improved marginal adaptation. Using dual-curing adhesive and LC, advantages in marginal adaptation between LC and dentin were observed. Schlagwörter: marginal adaptation, curing mode, pre-curing, dentin adhesive, ceramic inlays, insertion, loading