Marginal leakage in class V composite resin restorations with glass ionomer liners in vitro

This in vitro study evaluated the use of a glass ionomer lining cement in conjunction with composite resin in class V preparations in terms of marginal sealing ability. Two preparations, the occlusal walls in enamel (etched) and the gingival walls in dentin, were place in each tooth. One contained the etched glass ionomer liner, a dentin bonding agent, and a microfill composite resin. The second contained the dentin bonding agent and the microfill composite resin. The teeth were thermocycled, stained with methylene blue dye, sectioned, and evaluated for leakage at the occlusal and gingival margins on a scale of 0 to 3. No significant leakage was recorded at the occlusal margin for either restoration. Leakage at the gingival margin was significantly reduced for the lined restorations, and in no instance did the dye penetrate beyond the liner, which suggests that the lining cement may significantly decrease leakage at the gingival aspect of composite resins in class V restorations.