The influence of the operator's experience on the microleakage of two universal adhesives

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the influence of the operator's experience on the microleakage of two universal adhesives applied in self-etch (SE) and etch-and-rinse (E&R) modes. Materials and methods: Two class V cavities were prepared on the buccal and lingual surfaces of 112 caries-free extracted human molars and were divided into eight groups based on the combination of the factors “adhesive system” (Tetric N-Bond Universal Adhesive [TNU]; Scotchbond Universal Adhesive [SBU]), “adhesive strategy” (SE or E&R), and “the operators performing the procedures” (specialists in operative dentistry or intern students). After 24 h of water storage and thermocycling, the marginal microleakage was evaluated using the dye penetration technique and the data were analyzed. Results: In the SE mode, microleakage at the enamel margin for both adhesives was higher in the student group than in the specialist group (p values < 0.05). The operator's skill did not affect the microleakage scores of both adhesives applied in the E&R mode at the dentin and enamel margins or in the SE mode at the dentin margins (p > 0.05). The microleakage score was significantly higher at the dentin margins than the enamel margins for both universal adhesives applied in the E&R mode (p values <0.05). Conclusion: The microleakage values of the universal adhesives applied in the SE mode at the enamel margins were affected by the operator's skill. However, the operator's experience did not affect the microleakage scores of the two universal adhesives applied in the E&R mode at the enamel and dentin margins or in the SE mode at the dentin margins.