Influence of different restorative techniques on microleakage in Class II cavities with gingival wall in cementum

This study compared marginal leakage of Class II cavities with gingival margin in cementum using different techniques. Twenty-four recently extracted third molars were used. Proximal standard box cavities were prepared in both mesial and distal surfaces. The gingival margin was located apical to the cemento-enamel junction. All the preparations and restorations were performed by the same operator. Standard cavities were randomly divided into three groups (n = 16) and restored as follow: Group 1-light-cured composite resin; Group 2-self-cured composite resin + light-cured composite resin and Group 3-amalgam + light-cured composite resin. After polishing, the teeth were thermocycled and their gingival margins exposed to dye. Specimens were sectioned and leakage scores observed in accordance with a standard ranking. Data were subjected to statistical analysis (Kruskal-Wallis). Results showed that the amalgam/resin composite combination demonstrated the least leakage.