Marginal gap formation of composites in dentine: effect of water storage

This study investigated the effects of water storage on the marginal adaptation of two composite resins (Spectrum TPH and Ariston AT), two polyacid-modified composite resins (Dyract AP and F2000) and a new PRG composite (Reactmer) to dentine over time. Two cylindrical dentine cavities (1.5 mm diameter and 1.5 mm deep) were prepared on the horizontally sectioned surfaces of freshly extracted teeth. In each tooth, one cavity was restored using composites with their respective bonding system and the other without the bonding system. The sample size for each material with/without bonding system was 6. The composites were placed in one increment, bulk-polymerized, immediately finished/polished with the Sof-lex discs system and fine polished on 30 microm silicon carbide/9 microm aluminium oxide lapping film discs in a microgrinding system. The specimens were then stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C and the maximum marginal gap width between the material and the dentine wall was determined at 24 h, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks using a measurescope at x500 magnification. Results were subjected to statistical analysis using monva, anova/Scheffe's post hoc test and independent samples of t-test at significance level 0.05. At all time intervals, no significant difference in marginal gap formation was observed between materials. Where bonding systems were not used, a decrease in gap widths over time was observed with most materials but only Dyract AP exhibited a significant decrease. The latter was observed after 2 weeks storage in water. The use of bonding systems reduced dentine marginal gaps significantly and is therefore mandatory for all composites evaluated. Marginal gaps arising from polymerization contraction of conventional, polyacid-modified and PRG composites cannot be fully compensated by hydroscopic expansion. Clinical relevance Bonding systems are mandatory for all composites when bonding to dentin. In the event of a bond failure at placement, hygroscopic expansion of composites can reduce marginal gaps but not completely.