[Microleakage of four different amalgam binding systems]

This-study was undertaken to evaluate and compare microleakage in class V cavities in human teeth which were lined with Amalgambond Plus with HPA (Parkell, USA), Optibond Solo (Kerr, U.S.A.), Fuji Plus (GC Corporation, Japan) and Prime & Bond 2.1 (Dentsply, Switzerland), and then restored with Logic amalgam (SDI Australia). The restored teeth were thermocycled in basic fuchsin dye, sectioned, and evaluated for dye penetration. The interdiffusion zones were viewed in a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). The results showed that no bonding system could totally eliminate microleakage. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between Amalgambond Plus with HPA and Prime & Bond 2.1, Fuji Plus as well as Optibond Solo, for both the enamel and dentine sides. No significant differences were found between Prime & Bond 2.1, Fuji Plus and Optibond Solo, for both the enamel and dentine sides. Amalgambond Plus showed significantly more leakage at dentine sides while Prime & Bond 2.1 showed significantly more leakage at enamel sides. The CLSM revealed hybrid layers of different thicknesses, resin penetration into tubules, as well as resin incorporation within the spherical particles of the amalgam. Optibond Solo, Fuji Plus and Prime & Bond 2.1 can serve to improve the marginal seal of amalgam restorations.