This work is concerned with the performance, under dynamic compression, of the adhesives used to simulate cementation of gold crowns onto nickel chromium dies. A measurement system, based on the mounting of strain gauges onto the outer surface of the crowns, has been developed, which allows a semi-quantitative estimate of the state of adhesion. A preliminary study was carried out where miniature gauges were bonded onto the buccal, lingual, mesial and distal surfaces of gold crowns cast to fit onto a chromium-cobalt die, as a precursor to the final design of the instrumented crown. The crowns were then loaded in compression periodically measuring the strain at all four gauges. The results showed the load-strain relationship in fully, partially and uncemented crowns, along with repeated load-unload behaviour to close to the ultimate strength of the bond. The load-strain relationship is linear and repeatable and the slope varies over a factor of about 30 between the un-cemented and fully cemented crown, demonstrating that there is significant sensitivity to bond integrity. These results were used to determine the parameters for a systematic study of S-N relationships in restorative dentistry crowns.