Experimental in vitro lesions adjacent to composite restorations in etched cavities

Class V cavities and wedge-shaped cavities simulating erosions were prepared in thirty extracted, permanent human teeth. After being etched for 2 minutes with the pertinent cleanser, the wedge-shaped cavities were restored with Enamelite or Restodent. The Class V cavities were etched with 50% phosphoric acid and restored with HL-72. Artificial lesions around the fillings were produced by immersing the teeth in an acid-gelatin system. Ground sections of the teeth with the fillings in situ were studied by polarized light microscopy and microradiography. All the teeth showed "outer lesions," whereas the occurrence of a "wall lesion" was a rare exception.