Evaluation of Microleakage and Micromorphological Analysis of Different Self-Adhesive Restorative Systems in Class V Cavities: Laboratory Study

Abstract

Background: Microleakage is a common problem that affects the longevity of restorative materials in Class V cavities. It is influenced by factors such as the type of restorative materials, composition of the cavity margins and aging. This study aimed to evaluate and compare microleakage and micromorphological analysis of restora tion-dentin interface for Class V cavities restored with resin modified glass ionomer cement, self-adhesive flowable composite and self-adhesive composite hybrid before and after thermocycling for 10000 cycles. Material and Methods: One hundred two sound premolars received standardized Class V cavities on their buccal surfaces with the gingival margin placed 1mm above the cementum-enamel junction. The prepared premolars were randomly divided into three groups according to the self-adhesive restorative systems used (n=34). Each group was further subdivided into two subgroups according to aging (n=17); the first one was immediately evaluated after 24 hours of restoration placement, while the second was evaluated after thermocycling. Restored premolars were eva luated using dye penetration microleakage test under a stereomicroscope and micromorphological analysis of resto rations/dentin interface. Microleakage scores were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. Results: There was a statistically significant difference regarding microleakage between the used self-adhesive restorative systems (p<0.05). Self-adhesive composite hybrid had the highest microleakage scores followed by self-adhesive flowable composite while resin modified glass ionomer cement had the lowest microleakage scores. Also, there was a significant increase in the microleakage scores for the used restorative systems after thermocy cling (p<0.05). Conclusions: Resin modified glass ionomer cement remains the material of choice for Class V cavities in the term of microleakage compared to self-adhesive flowable composite and self-adhesive composite hybrid. The sealing stability of the used self-adhesive restorative systems still questionable over time.