Microleakage around direct composite inlays

The purpose of this study was to compare the microleakage around direct composite inlays bonded with a dual cure luting composite into Class V type inlay cavities in extracted molar teeth. Bonding methods which included two cavity cleansing regimes and three bonding treatments were used. Either pumice and rinse or rinse only cavity cleansing was used to remove the separator agent (agar/alcohol) from the cavity surface prior to inlay bonding. Restorations were thermocycled between 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C (with intermediate baths at 36 degrees C) before (240 cycles) and during (12 cycles) silver staining. Microleakage around the sectioned restorations was quantified using digital imaging microscopy at x 40 magnification. Data analysis indicated that failure to include pumice slurry application as part of the cavity cleansing regime prior to bonding lead to a marked increase in microleakage at the enamel/restoration interface following one of the three bonding treatments.