Microleakage with Gluma: effects of unfilled resin polymerization and storage time

An earlier study showed that the Gluma Bonding System permitted more microleakage than other dentin bonding agents. In that study, the unfilled resin was not polymerized prior to placement of the composite resin, as per manufacturer's instructions. The unfilled resin was cured in the other test groups. To evaluate the effect of unfilled resin polymerization on microleakage, Class V cavity preparations were made in sound extracted teeth. Composite resin restorations were placed using the Gluma Bonding System and a microfilled composite resin. In some samples, the unfilled resin was cured prior to placement of the composite. In others, the unfilled resin and composite were polymerized simultaneously. The samples were stored for either 24 hours or 30 days, then thermocycled. Microleakage was evaluated with a silver nitrate staining method. Specimens in which the unfilled resin had not been cured separately and which had been stored for 24 hours had the most leakage. Significantly less microleakage occurred when the unfilled resin was polymerized separately and/or when storage time was 30 days. To reduce microleakage with the Gluma Bonding System, the authors recommend polymerization of the unfilled resin before placement of the composite.