Microleakage of Class 2 glass-ionomer-silver restorations in primary molars

The aims of this study were to assess microleakage at the cervical margins of class 2 "sandwich" restorations placed with two glass-ionomer-silver cements in primary molars, to compare the quality of the occlusal margins of these restorations to those prepared with Miracle Mix and Ketac Silver, and to assess by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) the marginal micromorphology of those restorations. Fifty-two class 2 restorations were prepared in extracted primary molars and were restored as follows: 1) Ketac Silver + Estilux Posterior (sandwich), 2) Miracle Mix + Estilux Posterior (sandwich), 3) Ketac Silver only, and 4) Miracle Mix only. No or minimal leakage was evident in most of the occlusal margins, whereas severe leakage was observed in almost 70% of the cervical margins of the Ketac Silver groups. Scanning electron microscopy evaluation demonstrated good adaptation at the buccal and lingual margins of all the restorations. Sixty-seven percent of the Miracle Mix restorations had no defects at the cervical margins, as opposed to only 17% of those with Ketac Silver.