[Evaluation of 16 months old variously fashioned incisor fillings]

The influence of the cavity preparation form, enamel conditioning, and application of a low viscosity sealer upon marginal adaptation and microleakage of anterior teeth proximal composite restorations was investigated in vivo. Restorations inserted using the principles of Adhesive Restoration showed the best results. Experimental adhesive fillings placed into minimally prepared saucer-shaped cavities with no macroscopic dentin retention demonstrated likewise satisfactory results because of their small volume. Definitely inferior marginal adaptation and increased microleakage were obtained with other restorative techniques. Trace areas of etched enamel could be observed after 16 months in those cases where enamel conditioning was not followed by a sealer application. The utilization of a sealer, therefore, improves not only the marginal adaptation of the composite material but in addition offers a protective seal to the previously conditioned enamel surface. Once the adhesive restoration is completed, it is recommended that a fluoride solution be applied to all enamel surfaces in the operational field. This fluoride treatment results in the formation of extremely high concentrations of fluorapatite in enamel areas which might have been inadvertently exposed to etching solutions during the procedure and not sealed or covered by composite material.