Marginal integrity and secondary caries of selectively excavated teeth in vitro

Objectives

Selective caries removal involves sealing of carious dentine beneath restorations, which might decrease their marginal integrity and increase the susceptibility for secondary caries and microleakage. The present study compared these marginal characteristics of restorations in selectively and completely excavated teeth.

Methods

In 32 premolars, shallow and deep artificial lesions were created on pulpo-axial walls of mesial-distal-occlusal cavities, with mesial and distal margins located in enamel and dentine, respectively. Demineralised dentine was either removed or left before adhesively restoring the teeth (n = 8), which were then submitted to thermo-mechanical cycling. The integrity of gingivo-cervical margins was assessed using scanning electron microscopy. In half of each margin, caries was induced adjacent to restorations using a continuous-culture biofilm model, and resulting lesions were evaluated using transversal microradiography. The other half of each margin was used to assess microleakage.

Results

Integrity or microleakage of margins located in enamel did not differ significantly between groups, and bacterial biofilms did not induce distinct caries lesions in enamel. Dentinal margins in teeth with deep compared with shallow lesions showed a significantly higher proportion of marginal imperfections, gaps and microleakage (p ≤ 0.05, Mann–Whitney/χ²-test). In contrast, neither marginal integrity nor microleakage differed significantly between completely and selectively excavated teeth (p > 0.05). Dentinal mineral loss adjacent to restorations did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.80).

Conclusions

The marginal characteristics of restorations were affected by the depth of sealed or excavated lesions, but not by the performed caries excavation. This study did not find selective excavation detrimental for restoration integrity in vitro.

Clinical significance

Selective excavation of deep lesions was shown to reduce pulpal risks, whilst leaving caries beneath restorations is feared to compromise the marginal characteristics of the subsequently placed restoration. Based on the present in vitro study, such assumptions cannot be supported.     

Microleakage of silorane- and methacrylate-based class V composite restorations

The marginal integrity of class V restorations in a silorane- and a group of methacrylate-based composite resins with varying viscosities was tested in the present study. Different adhesives (OptiBond FL, KerrHawe; AdheSE One, Vivadent; or Silorane System Adhesive, 3M ESPE) were applied to 168 standardized class V cavities. The cavities (n = 12) were filled with a wide range of different viscous composite resins: Filtek Silorane, 3M ESPE; els and els flow, Saremco; Tetric EvoCeram and Tetric EvoFlow, Vivadent; Grandio, Voco; and Ultraseal XT Plus, Ultradent. Microleakage of the restoration was assessed by dye penetration (silver staining) on multiple sections with and without thermocycling and mechanical loading (TCML: 5,000 × 5-55°C; 30 s/cycle; 500,000 × 72.5 N, 1.6 Hz). Data were statistically analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test and the Error Rates Method (ERM). The silorane-based composite resin yielded the lowest dye penetration after TCML. Microleakage of methacrylate-based composite restorations, in general (ERM), was statistically significantly influenced by the adhesive system, Moreover, dye penetration at enamel margins was significantly lower than dye penetration at dentin margins. The chemical basis of composite resins and adjacent tooth substance seems to strongly influence marginal sealing of class V restorations for methacrylate-based materials. Moreover, the steps of dental adhesives used affected marginal integrity. The silorane-based composite resin evaluated in the present study exhibits the best marginal seal. The three-step adhesive yielded better marginal sealing than the one-step adhesive for methacrylate-based class V composite restorations.     

Effect of multi-step dentin bonding systems and resin-modified glass ionomer cement liner on marginal quality of dentin-bonded resin composite Class II restorations

The use of resin composites in the restoration of Class II cavities with gingival margins located in dentin is still controversial. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of four state-of-the-art multi-step dentin-bonding systems (A. R. T. Bond, Syntac, OptiBond DC, Scotchbond Multipurpose) on marginal adaptation and microleakage of dentin-bonded composite Class II restorations. A total of 72 Class II cavities with gingival margins in dentin were prepared in extracted molars and filled with fine-hybrid composites using a three-sited light curing technique. In one half of the cavities the pulpal wall was lined with a resin-modified glass ionomer cement liner (RM-GIC), in the other half a total bonding technique was applied. A. R. T. Bond and Syntac were tested with selective enamel etching (SE) and total etching (TE). Marginal adaptation was evaluated in a scanning electron microscope before and after thermocycling (TC). Microleakage was determined by dye penetration. After TC the proportions of continuous margin in dentin ranged from 37% (Syntac/SE) to 91.2% (A. R. T. Bond/TE). Scotchbond Multipurpose exhibited the lowest degree of microleakage (0.22 mm). Marginal enamel fracture was the most prevalent marginal defect at the enamel margins (8.3–22.2%). The use of the RM-GIC had no beneficial effect on any of the marginal parameters, either in dentin or in enamel. It is concluded that low degrees of marginal gap formation and microleakage can be achieved in totally bonded composite Class II restorations when using state-of-the-art multi-step bonding systems in combination with a meticulous incremental filling technique. Received: 6 April 1998 / Accepted: 25 August 1998     

Influence of dentin conditioning and contamination on the marginal integrity of sandwich Class II restorations

This study investigated the influence of dentin conditioning and contamination on the marginal adaptation of Class II sandwich restorations. Large butt-joint MOD cavities with cervical margins located 1 mm below the CEJ were cut into 72 extracted human molars. Nine groups were filled using a total-bond technique with Z100 or a sandwich technique with either Vitremer or F2000 in combination with Z100. For all three material combinations three different pretreatments were compared: total etch, selective etch and dentin contamination with saliva and blood prior to primer/adhesive application. After water storage for 21 days and thermocycling (2000x, 5-55 degrees C) replicas were produced for quantitative marginal analysis in the SEM. Teeth were immersed in 0.5% basic fuchsin for 24 hours and dried. Percent dye penetration over the total marginal length was analyzed in three layers using a sequential grinding technique. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-way ANOVA. Post-hoc analyses were carried out with univariate Mann-Whitney-U-tests adjusting for multiple comparisons by a sequentially rejective test procedure (Bonferroni-Holm) at p < 0.05. Both F2000 and Vitremer sandwich restorations showed better marginal adaptation than Z100 total-bond restorations with all pretreatments. Acid etching of the dentin significantly influenced the marginal adaptation of Z100 total-bond restorations and Vitremer sandwich restorations. All types of restorations showed considerable microleakage. On contaminated dentin, sandwich restorations showed better marginal integrity than total-bond restorations. Marginal adaptation did not correspond with microleakage in all groups. In conclusion, F2000/Z100 and Vitremer/Z100 sandwich restorations show better marginal adaptation than Z100 total-bond restorations in large Class II cavities with cervical margins in dentin. Microleakage cannot predictably be prevented with the sandwich technique. Sandwich restorations seem to be less sensitive to contamination with saliva and blood.     

Analysis of marginal adaptation and sealing to enamel and dentin of four self-adhesive resin cements

This in vitro study compared the marginal adaptation of all-ceramic MOD-inlays luted to human molars with four self-adhesive resin cements. Thirty-two human third molars were randomly assigned to four test groups (n = 8 per group). MOD cavities were prepared with approximal finishing lines in dentin and enamel. All-ceramic Empress 2 inlays were luted with four self-adhesive cements (Clearfil SA, iCEM, Bifix SE, seT). Oral stress was simulated by 90 day storage in water as well as by thermal and mechanical loading (TCML, 1.2 × 10⁶ × 50 N, 6,000× 5°/55°, 1.6 Hz). The marginal fit was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dye penetration. Data were analyzed with the ANOVA/Tukey's test (α = 0.05). The SEM investigation of the gingival cement margins (cement–tooth interface) showed values of perfect margin [percent] (means ± SD) after simulated aging between 84 ± 9% and 95 ± 5% for enamel and 80 ± 9% and 92 ± 3% for dentin. In enamel, seT showed significantly higher marginal integrity than iCEM after water storage and TCML (post hoc; p = 0.011). Furthermore, the marginal adaptation of iCEM in enamel deteriorated by simulated aging (p = 0.014, ANOVA). Mean values of dye penetration (percentage of dye entry into dentin) at the investigated restorations margins ranged between 3% and 8% for enamel and 12% and 22% for dentin. Clearfil SA, iCEM, and seT showed lower dye penetration in enamel than in dentin (Clearfil SA: p = 0.013, iCEM: p = 0.044, seT: p = 0.003). The results suggest that the four self-adhesive luting agents investigated seem to successfully bond to dentin-restricted as well as to enamel-restricted cavities, predicting good clinical performance.     

Marginal integrity of large compomer Class II restorations with cervical margins in dentine

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the marginal integrity of total-bond Dyract AP restorations in large Class II restorations with cervical margins in dentine. The efficacy of a new non-rinse conditioner and the effect of beveling the enamel margins were also studied. METHODS: Large MOD cavities with cervical margins located 1mm below the CEJ were prepared in 48 extracted human molars. Six groups (n=8) were filled using a total-bond technique with Spectrum TPH or Dyract AP or a sandwich technique with Dyract in combination with Spectrum TPH. For Dyract AP total-bond restorations, a new non-rinse conditioner was tested vs. a total-etch with 36% phosphoric acid in beveled and butt-joint cavities. After water storage for 21 days and thermocycling (2000x, 5-55 degrees C), replicas were produced for quantitative marginal analysis in the SEM. Afterwards, teeth were immersed in 0.5% basic fuchsin for 24h and dried. Percent dye penetration over the total margin length was analysed in three layers using a sequential grinding technique. Statistical analysis was performed with non-parametric tests and the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons at p<0.05. RESULTS: All restoration types showed microleakage. On cervical margins in dentine, Dyract AP restorations showed better marginal adaptation than Spectrum TPH total-bond restorations (marginal openings (MO), median 33.8 vs. 79.6%), but were inferior to Dyract/Spectrum TPH sandwich restorations (MO: 0. 0%). The non-rinse conditioner improved the marginal adaptation of Dyract AP restorations in dentine (MO: 4.7 vs. 38.4%, p=0.0206 for beveled cavities, 12.2 vs. 33.8%, p=0.0238, for butt-joint cavities) and yielded similar results in enamel margins provided that enamel margins were beveled. Beveling of enamel significantly reduced the occurrence of enamel microcracks. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a non-rinse conditioner in combination with Dyract AP may improve the marginal adaptation of Class II restorations compared to composite restorations. The sandwich technique with Dyract results in better marginal adaptation in cervical dentine compared to all other restorative techniques tested in this study. However, microleakage cannot predictably be prevented with the sandwich technique.     

In vitro evaluation of dentinal bonding agents in mixed Class V cavity preparations.

The effect of ten dentinal bonding agents on composite resin restorations was tested in mixed Class V cavity preparations. The marginal quality of the restorations was quantified under a scanning electron microscope before and after thermocycling. In addition, the marginal seal was semiquantitatively evaluated with a dye penetration technique. Marginal adaptation in dentin was poor in seven test groups. Three products showed values of excellent margin in dentin exceeding 50% after thermocycling. Furthermore, some dentinal bonding agents had a deleterious effect on marginal adaptation to the etched enamel surfaces.     

Clinical, radiographic, SEM evaluation and assessment of microleakage of Class II composite restorations

The influence of incremental or bulk filling techniques, and reapplication of unfilled resin (impregnation) to the margins with an enamel bonding agent, on marginal adaptation was evaluated in Class II composite restorations by clinical, radiographic, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and dye penetration techniques. Cavities were prepared in 80 extracted permanent posterior teeth. All cavity walls were treated with polyacrylic acid for 10 seconds. The enamel was etched for 1 minute, rinsed, dried, and lined with Scotchbond. Forty cavities were filled by increments of P30 and 40 cavities in bulk. The margins of the restorations of 20 teeth in each group were re-etched for 30 seconds and Concise Enamel Bond reapplied. The clinical scores were excellent for all restorations. Radiographic examination showed twice as many bubbles in the incrementally filled restoration than in the group filled in bulk. In 53 teeth, a radiolucent area between the dentin and the restorative material was found. After sectioning, this area was found to correspond to a hard material. The SEM revealed excellent margins in the groups of teeth that were impregnated with an unfilled resin, whereas 13 teeth without impregnation showed defective margins. The dye penetration, as a test for marginal leakage, was minimal at the occlusal surface of all teeth. At the cervical surface, 10.5% of the impregnated teeth showed severe dye penetration compared to 18% of the nonimpregnated teeth. No correlation was found between dye penetration at the cervical surface and the thickness of the residual enamel in this area.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of occlusal loading on the microleakage of class V restorations

OBJECTIVE: This in vitro study evaluated the microleakage of Class V cavities restored with a resin composite and different adhesive systems after occlusal loading. METHODS & MATERIALS: Standardized box-shaped Class V cavities were prepared on the buccal side of 135 non-carious human premolars. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups of 45 premolars each and restored as follows: Group 1-two-step total-etch adhesive (Single Bond, 3M) + resin composite (Supreme, 3M ESPE); Group 2-two-step self-etch adhesive (Clearfil SE, Kuraray) + resin composite and Group 3-one-step self-etch adhesive (Xeno III, Dentsply) + resin composite. The restorations were finished with aluminum oxide discs (Sof-Lex, 3M). Fifteen teeth in each group received 10,000 x 100 N and 250 N occlusal loads, respectively, and the remaining 15 teeth served as the control. The premolars were immersed in 2% methylene blue for 24 hours. The dye penetration was examined under a stereomicroscope, and the results were statistically analyzed by Kruskal Wallis, Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests to determine differences between the groups. RESULTS: Gingival margins showed more dye penetration than occlusal margins in all the tested groups (p<0.05). In all the tested adhesive systems, 100 N occlusal loading did not change dye penetration; however, Groups 1 and 2 exhibited better marginal sealing than Group 3 at the enamel margins under 250 N occlusal loading. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, it may be concluded that enamel margins provided better marginal sealing than dentin/cementum margins and the two-step self-etch adhesive exhibited better marginal sealing than an all-in-one adhesive at the enamel margins under 250 N occlusal loading.     

Microleakage of Class V restorations using two different compomer systems: an in vitro study

This study compared the marginal microleakage of Class V cavities restored with Dyract-AP and F2000. Forty Class V cavity preparations were performed on extracted human teeth. As a negative control, twenty teeth were used without Class V preparations. The apical foramina of the teeth were sealed with a layer of varnish and amalgam restorations. Class V cavity preparations with occlusal margins in enamel, and gingival margins in cementum or dentin that measured approximately three millimeters in width (gingival-occlusal) and length (mesial-distal), were prepared on the buccal surface of the teeth. Samples were divided randomly into 2 groups of 15, and restored per manufacturer's instructions using experimental primer/conditioner (PCC, D/C) and Single Bond Adhesive (3M). All restorations were polished with an abrasive finishing kit. After storage in 37 degrees C water for 24 hours, all specimens were thermocycled between 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C for 500 cycles with a 30-second dwell time, followed by immersion in 0.2% basic fucsine for 24 hours. Teeth were then embedded in cold cure acrylic resin, sectioned longitudinally, and the dye penetration at the enamel and cementum margins were scored at 30x magnification. Evaluations were rated from 0 to 3 (0 = no leakage; 1 = dye penetration up to one-half of the preparation depth; 2 = dye penetration more than one-half preparation depth, but less than the axial wall; 3 = dye penetration along the axial wall). Both F-2000 and Dyract-AP indicated no leakage in the enamel margins. Dyract-AP showed no leakage at either the enamel or dentin margins. Fisher's Exact Test revealed that this difference in dentin margins was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Under the given conditions, Dyract-AP and F-2000 demonstrated resistance to microleakage in enamel, and showed Dyract-AP to be more resistant to microleakage in dentin than F-2000.     

Marginal adaptation of heat-pressed glass-ceramic veneers to dentin in vitro.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the marginal adaptation of ceramic veneers to dentin at the cervical margins and to enamel at the palatoincisal margins using four dual-curing composite resin cements of different viscosity with their corresponding dentin bonding systems. Thirty-six caries-free human maxillary incisors were prepared for facial ceramic veneers with cervical cavity margins located in dentin. Heat-pressed glass-ceramic veneers (IPS Empress) were inserted adhesively using one of the following luting systems: Sono-Cem (SC) with EBS; Variolink Ultra (VU), Variolink High Viscosity (VHV), and Variolink Low Viscosity (VLV) with Syntac. Both the cervical and the palatoincisal margins of the veneers (tooth/composite resin cement interface and ceramic/composite resin cement interface) were evaluated before and after thermocycling and mechanical loading (TCML) by quantitative margin analysis under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) using an image analysis system. Microleakage was assessed by dye penetration after TCML. Before TCML, SC and VU showed statistically significantly fewer marginal gaps than VHV and VLV. After TCML, SC, VU, and VHV revealed significantly fewer marginal gaps than VLV. TCML had a statistically significant influence on marginal gap formation at both the dentin and enamel margins. After TCML, the percentage of marginal gaps was not significantly different at the cervical dentin than at the palatoincisal enamel margins. Cervical dye penetration after TCML showed no statistically significant differences in microleakage among the four luting systems. In conclusion, this in vitro study showed that similarly favorable marginal adaptations of ceramic veneers to dentin and enamel can be achieved using Sono-Cem, Variolink Ultra, or Variolink High Viscosity with their corresponding dentin bonding systems.     

Total bonding vs selective bonding: marginal adaptation of Class 2 composite restorations

For improving the marginal integrity of composite restorations, a total bonding method has been advocated besides the conventional selective bonding method. Total bonding avoids the placement of a base. The entire internal cavity surface is available for the adhesive bond. Selective bonding involves the placement of a base covering the pulpal floor as well as the pulpoaxial wall. In this study, five dentin/enamel bonding system/composite combinations were used to restore 60 class 2 cavities with their cervical margins below the cementoenamel junction (CEJ); six teeth per material were restored according to the total bonding and the selective bonding methods. Before and after simultaneous thermo-cycling and mechanical loading (TCML) marginal adaptation was evaluated on replicas in the SEM. Microleakage was determined by dye penetration on the original samples after TCML. The data were statistically evaluated with the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Wilcoxon test. The error rates method was applied. In SEM analysis the error rates method indicated a significant difference between the two restoration methods in general. In the pairwise comparisons, no significant differences between the selective bonding and total bonding methods were found for Syntac/Tetric, Gluma 2000/Pekafill, and Gluma/Pekafill. With Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (SBMP) and All-Bond 2 (AB2), total bonding revealed significantly (P < or = 0.01) less gap formation before and after TCML than selective bonding. Accordingly, total bonding showed significantly less (P < or = 0.01) dye penetration with Scotch-bond Multi-Purpose and All-Bond 2 compared to selective bonding. In conclusion, the reduction of microleakage by application of the total bonding method depended upon the bonding system used. Total bonding could be an alternative procedure for the adhesive restoration of class 2 cavities when their gingival margins are apical to the cementoenamel junction, provided the proper system is used and pulp damage is prevented.     

Microleakage on Class V glass ionomer restorations after cavity preparation with aluminum oxide air abrasion

This in vitro study assessed the marginal microleakage on class V cavities prepared with aluminum oxide air abrasion and restored with different glass ionomer cements. The cavities were prepared on the buccal and lingual surfaces of 15 sound third molars with an air- abrasion device (Kreativ Mach 4.1; New Image) using a 27.5-microm aluminum oxide particle stream, and were assigned to 3 groups of 10 cavities each. The restorative materials were: group I, a conventional glass ionomer cement (Ketac-Fil); groups II and III, resin-modified glass ionomer cements (Vitremer R and Fuji II LC, respectively). After placement of the restorations, the teeth were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 h, polished and then submitted to a thermocycling regimen of 500 cycles, isolated, immersed in 0.2% Rhodamine B solution for 24 h, included and serially sectioned. Microleakage was assessed by viewing the specimens under an optical microscope connected to a color video camera and a computer. The images obtained were digitized and analyzed for microleakage using software that allows for a standard quantitative assessment of dye penetration in millimeters. Statistical analysis was done using the Kruskall-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests. Means of dye penetration (%) were: occlusal - I: 25.76 +/- 34.35, II: 20.00 +/- 42.16, III: 28.25 +/- 41.67; cervical - I: 23.72 +/- 41.84; II: 44.22 +/- 49.69, III: 39.27 +/- 50.74. No statistically significant differences (p>0.05) were observed among either the glass ionomer cements or the margins. In conclusion, class V cavities restored with either conventional or resin-modified glass ionomer cements after preparation with aluminum oxide air abrasion did not show complete sealing at the enamel and dentin/cementum margins.     

Influence of different cusp coverage methods for the extension of ceramic inlays on marginal integrity and enamel crack formation in vitro

No information is available to date about cusp design of thin (1.0 mm) non-functional cusps and its influence upon (1) marginal integrity of ceramic inlays (CI) and partial ceramic crowns (PCC) and (2) crack formation of dental tissues. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the effect of cusp coverage of thin non-functional cusps on marginal integrity and enamel crack formation. CI and PCC preparations were performed on extracted human molars. Non-functional cusps were adjusted to 1.0-mm wall thickness and 1.0-mm wall thickness with horizontal reduction of about 2.0 mm. Ceramic restorations (Vita Mark II, Cerec3 System) were adhesively luted with Excite/Variolink II. The specimens were exposed to thermocycling and central mechanical loading. Marginal integrity was assessed by evaluating dye penetration after thermal cycling and mechanical loading. Enamel cracks were documented under a reflective-light microscope. The data were statistically analysed with the Mann–Whitney U test, the Fishers exact test (α = 0.05) and the error rates method. PCC with horizontal reduction of non-functional cusps showed statistically significant less microleakage than PCC without such a cusp coverage. Preparation designs with horizontal reduction of non-functional cusps showed a tendency to less enamel crack formation than preparation designs without cusp coverage. Thin non-functional cusp walls of adhesively bonded restorations should be completely covered or reduced to avoid enamel cracks and marginal deficiency.     

Microleakage in class V gingiva-shaded composite resin restorations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microleakage in Class V cavities restored with a new gingiva-shaded microhybrid composite resin and with a conventional microhybrid composite resin using three different dentin bonding systems (DBS). Class V cavities were prepared in sixty freshly extracted human teeth with the incisal margin in enamel and the apical margin in dentin/cementum. Restored specimens, after thermocycling, were placed in 2% methylene blue solution for 24 hours. Longitudinal sections were obtained and studied with a stereomicroscope for assessment of the microleakage according to degree of dye penetration (scale 0-3). Data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis test and with Mann-Whitney U-test.IN THIS STUDY THERE WAS NO LEAKAGE IN ENAMEL: all the cavities showed no dye penetration at the incisal margins (located in enamel). None of the DBS used eliminated microleakage in apical margins (located in dentin or cementum): three-step total-etch and single-step self-etch were more effective in reducing microleakage in dentin margins when compared with two-step total-etch. This in vitro study concluded that microleakage in Class V cavities restored with the composite resins tested is similar.     

Comparison of microleakage for three one-bottle and three multiple-step dentin bonding agents.

PURPOSE: This in vitro study compared the ability of several recently introduced 1-bottle adhesives to their preceding multiple-step dentin bonding agents in reducing microleakage around Class V composite restorations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Facial and lingual Class V cavities were prepared in 48 molar teeth, which were randomly divided into 6 equal groups. Three groups used the fourth-generation multiple-step systems, and 3 used the fifth-generation single-bottle adhesives. All cavities were restored by composite and subjected to thermocycling and intermittent occlusal loading. After immersion in 0.5% basic fuchsin, the teeth were cut faciolingually in 5 consecutive sections and evaluated for dye penetration using a binocular stereomicroscope. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the degree of microleakage comparing the adhesive's generation and manufacturer and the location of the cavity margins. A significant interaction was found between margin location and manufacturer, which implied that the sealing capacity at the enamel and cementum margins was material-specific. CONCLUSION: Scotchbond Multi-Purpose and Single Bond adhesives provided the best seal for enamel margins, and One-Step and Optibond FL adhesives were best for cementum margins.     

Five-year clinical effectiveness of a two-step self-etching adhesive

PURPOSE: The purpose of this prospective randomized controlled clinical study was to evaluate the clinical performance of a "mild" two-step self-etching adhesive, Clearfil SE, in Class V restorations after 5 years of clinical functioning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients received two or four restorations following two randomly assigned experimental protocols: (1) a mild self-etching adhesive (Clearfil SE, Kuraray) was applied following manufacturer's instructions on both enamel and dentin (C-SE non-etch); (2) similar application of Clearfil SE, but including prior selective acid-etching of the enamel cavity margins with 40% phosphoric acid (C-SE etch). Clearfil AP-X (Kuraray) was used as the restorative composite for all 100 restorations. The clinical effectiveness was recorded in terms of retention, marginal integrity, marginal discoloration, caries recurrence, postoperative sensitivity, and preservation of tooth vitality after 5 years of clinical service. The hypothesis tested was that selective acid etching of enamel with phosphoric acid improved retention, marginal integrity, and clinical microleakage of Class V restorations. RESULTS: Only one restoration of the C-SE non-etch group was lost at the 5-year recall. All other restorations were clinically acceptable. Marginal integrity deteriorated with time in both groups. The number of restorations with defect-free margins was significantly lower in the C-SE non-etch group (p = 0.0043). This latter group presented significantly more small incisal marginal defects on the enamel side (p = 0.0169). Superficial marginal discoloration increased in both groups, but was more pronounced in the C-SE non-etch group and was related to the higher frequency of small incisal marginal defects. CONCLUSION: The clinical effectiveness of the two-step self-etching adhesive Clearfil SE remained excellent after 5 years of clinical service. Additional etching of the enamel cavity margins resulted in an improved marginal adaptation on the enamel side; however, this was not critical for the overall clinical performance of the restorations.     

Proximo-cervical adaptation of Class II-composite restorations after thermocycling: a quantitative and qualitative study

summary Sixty caries-free extracted human molars were used to determine the proximo-cervical adaptation and sealing of Class II-composite restorations related to the location of the cavity margins: 1.0 mm or 0.5 mm coronal to the cementum-enamel-junction (CEJ), at the CEJ, and 0.5 mm apical to the CEJ. All cavities were filled with a hybride type composite resin, which was combined at the CEJ and apical to the CEJ with a dentine adhesive in half of the specimens. The proximo-cervical adaptation and sealing was determined before and after thermocycling (TC, 2000 cycles, 5–55°C) by SEM and dye penetration tests. Furthermore, an analysis of the interfaces between the enamel or dentine and the filling material was performed to determine whether or not there is a significant correlation between micromorphological factors of the dental hard tissues (enamel acid etch pattern, dentine resin tag pattern) and the marginal adaptation of the composite restorations. The data were statistically evaluated by means of H-tests (Kruskall–Wallis), U-tests (Mann–Whitney), and Chi²-tests (P < 0.05). It was found that the proximo-cervical adaptation is statistically significant dependent on the position of the margin. 1.0 mm coronal to the CEJ an excellent marginal sealing was found before and after TC, whereas all other groups revealed a significant deterioration of the marginal integrity after TC. Using a dentine adhesive significantly improved the marginal sealing in cavities at the CEJ before and after TC, however the marginal quality was not achieved as in the case of the normally structured enamel 1.0 mm coronal to the CEJ following acid etching. In defects 0.5 mm apical to the CEJ the dentine adhesive only improved the cervical adaptation before TC. The evaluation of the tooth/ filling interfaces revealed that there is no statistically significant correlation between the enamel acid etch pattern resp. dentine resin tag pattern and the marginal sealing.     

A microleakage study of single-bottle adhesives applied to enamel and cementum and aged by both occlusal loading and thermocycling.

OBJECTIVE: To compare enamel and dentin microleakage of three single-bottle dentin-bonding agents (DBA) (One-Step, Single Bond, and Dentamed P&B) on teeth that were then subjected to thermocycling and occlusal loading. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Class 5 cavities were prepared on the buccal and lingual surfaces of 30 extracted human molars and divided into three groups. The occlusal margins were in enamel, and the cervical margins were in cementum. DBA were applied strictly according to the manufacturers' recommendations, and the preparations were restored with resin composite. Specimens were subjected to 2,000 intermittent occlusal loads and 3,000 thermocycles and then immersed in 0.5% basic fuchsin dye for 72 hours. Four consecutive sections were cut for each specimen and examined under a stereomicroscope. The extent of dye penetration was measured and recorded using a nonparametric scale from 0 to 4. RESULTS: The Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference at cementum margins between One-Step and Dentamed P&B, as well as between Single Bond and Dentamed P&B, and an insignificant difference between Single Bond and One-Step. There was no significant difference in dye penetration at enamel margins between the three DBA. CONCLUSION: Under combined use of occlusal loads and thermocycling, the sealing ability of single-bottle DBA at dentin margins ranged from good for One-Step to moderate for Single Bond to poor for Dentamed P&B. At enamel margins, all materials performed equally well.     

Marginal quality and microleakage of adhesive class V restorations

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the marginal quality and microleakage of composite resin class V restorations. METHODS: Standardized mixed class V cavities (diameter: 4mm, depth: 2mm) with half of the finish lines limited within dentin were cut in 90 freshly extracted human molars and randomly assigned to nine groups (n=10). After etching enamel and dentin, the cavities were restored with nine different restorative systems (Syntac Sprint/Tetric Ceram=SS, Syntac Single-Component/Tetric Ceram=SC, Onestep/Aeliteflo=OS, Aquaprep+Onestep/Aeliteflo=OA, Prime & Bond 2.1/TPH=PB, Optibond Solo/Prodigy=OP, Singlebond/Z100=SB, Tenure Quik/Marathon=TQ, Solobond M/Arabesk=SM) using a wet-bonding procedure. After finishing and polishing, the teeth were stored for 24h in distilled water at 37 degrees C before they were subjected to thermocycling (5/55 degrees C, 1000x). Epoxy replicas were made for margin analysis in the SEM. Specimens were stained in methylene blue, sectioned, and evaluated for microleakage. Dye penetration was scored on a 0-3 ordinal scale. RESULTS: Statistical analysis (Kruskal-Wallis H-test, Mann-Whitney U-test) revealed significant differences (P<0.05) among the groups at dentin and enamel margins for the microleakage scores as well as for the results of the quantitative SEM margin analysis. SC revealed a significantly higher percentage of perfect margins in the SEM than OS and SM in enamel and dentin, respectively. OA exhibited significantly more leakage in enamel than all other groups. CONCLUSIONS: None of the tested restorative systems achieved a perfect seal in dentin and enamel of mixed class V cavities. Marginal quality and sealing ability of adhesive systems to dentin, using a wet-bonding procedure, is still inferior compared with enamel margins.