In vitro evaluation of microleakage in class II composite restorations: High-viscosity bulk-fill vs conventional composites

Abstract

This study compared marginal microleakage of Class II cavities restored with bulk-fill resin (Filtek™ Bulk Fill) and conventional composite resin (Filtek™ Supreme XTE). Two standardized Class II cavities were prepared in forty extracted human molars. The gingival margin was located above the cemento-enamel junction for twenty molars (groups 1 and 2) and apically for the other twenty (groups 3 and 4) (n=20). The occlusomesial cavity was filled with bulk-fill resin by insertion in bulk (groups 1 and 3) and the occlusodistal cavity was restored with conventional composite using incremental technique (groups 2 and 4). The teeth were thermocycled (500 cycles 5–55°C), stained and observed under light microscope. The microleakage was significantly lower in gingival margins located in enamel compared with dentin margins (p<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 2 (p=0.86) and groups 3 and 4 (p=0.26). Bulk-Fill resins presents gingival microleakage similar to conventional composites.