Marginal adaptation of Class V restorations using different restorative techniques.

Area of Science:

• Restorative Dentistry
• Dental Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

• Class V restorations are prone to marginal discrepancies, impacting longevity.
• Enamel and dentine margins present unique challenges for restorative material bonding.
• Evaluating different composite placement techniques is crucial for optimal clinical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the marginal adaptation of Class V restorations using various techniques.
• To assess the influence of different curing methods (chemical vs. light) on restoration integrity.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a specific dentinal adhesive system (Gluma/Clearfil).

Main Methods:

• In vitro comparison of five operative procedures in simulated Class V cavities.
• Evaluation of composite inlay, bulk placement, and incremental techniques.
• Micromorphological analysis of the tooth/restoration interface before and after thermal cycling.
• Marginal seal analysis post-thermal cycling.

Main Results:

• The inlay technique exhibited the best marginal quality in both enamel and dentine.
• Chemically cured composites demonstrated superior marginal adaptation compared to light-cured counterparts due to reduced contraction.
• Conventional cavities showed less leakage and better, though not statistically significant, marginal adaptation.

Conclusions:

• The composite inlay technique offers superior marginal adaptation for Class V restorations.
• Chemically cured composite resins and cements provide better marginal integrity than light-cured versions.
• The tested dentinal adhesive system (Gluma/Clearfil) is effective for achieving strong dentine adhesion.