Microleakage at the cervical margin of composite Class II cavities with different restorative techniques

This study evaluated the microleakage at the cervical margins of Class II composite resin restorations restored with different techniques. Slot cavities were prepared on both proximals of 40 unerupted third molars with one cervical margin located above and the other below the cementoenamel junction. The prepared teeth were randomly assigned to four groups and restored using the following techniques: (I) 3-Sited, (II) Directed-Shrinkage, (III) Resin-Modified Glass-Ionomer Cement or a (IV) Flowable Composite as the gingival increment. All restorations were placed with the same bonding agent and composite resin. The difference among the groups was on the first increment and on its insertion and polymerization techniques. After restoration, the teeth were thermocycled and exposed to a dye. Results showed that all the techniques worked well for enamel, with almost no leakage. However, on cementum, all techniques demonstrated moderate to severe leakage.