Microleakage of 3 single-bottle self-etch adhesives having different solvents

This study compared the microleakage from 3 single-bottle self-etch adhesives (SEAs) with a conventional etch and rinse (ER) system. Class V cavities were prepared on buccal and lingual surfaces at the cementoenamel junction of 40 extracted human third molars. The cavities were allocated into 4 groups (n = 20). The groups were treated with either a combination of composite resin and 1 of 3 SEAs, or with a conventional ER system. Dye penetration of the samples was performed by placing them in a fresh solution of India ink for 48 hours. After rinsing and sectioning, the samples were placed under a light microscope and evaluated for microleakage along occlusal (enamel) and gingival (dentin) margins. The data were analyzed statistically. Microleakage scores of the adhesives exhibited significant differences (P < 0.05). All 3 single-bottle SEAs tested exhibited more microleakage than the ER system. There was no difference in terms of microleakage between the enamel and dentin margins in the SEA-bonded specimens (P > 0.05). The ER system was more successful in sealing enamel than dentin.