Effect of various grit burs on marginal integrity of resin composite restorations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the generation of enamel cracks and gaps at the cavosurface margin of resin composite restorations using various burs. Saucer-shaped cavities with a bevel were prepared on mid-coronal buccal or lingual surfaces of extracted human molars using a regular-grit round diamond bur, a fine-grit diamond bur, a superfine-grit diamond bur or a six-bladed tungsten carbide bur with an air turbine handpiece. The enamel margin of the cavity in each group was observed by a light microscope. Cavities were restored with a self-etching adhesive and a light-cured composite resin. After thermocycling, enamel cracks and gaps at the cavosurface margins were observed and scored. Specimens were sectioned longitudinally in two halves, and the resin-cavity interface was observed by means of a light microscope. In cavity preparation, the regular-grid diamond bur and the tungsten carbide bur caused more cracks in the marginal enamel than other groups. From the surface and sectioned surface observation of restored teeth, the superfine-grit diamond bur generated fewer cracks and gaps than the other burs.