Effect of Chlorhexidine and Ethanol on Microleakage of Composite Resin Restoration to Dentine

To evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine and ethanol on microleakage of composite resin restoration to dentine.

Class II cavities with dentinal margin were prepared on 96 premolar teeth. All specimens were acid-etched, rinsed and dried. Then the samples were randomly divided into four groups according to pre-treatment of the dentine: no treatment (control group); treatment with 100% ethanol for 60 s (group 2); treatment with 2% chlorhexidine for 60 s (group 3); 100% ethanol for 60 s and then 2% chlorhexidine for 60 s (group 4). After dentine treatment, each group was bonded and restored with a universal micro hybrid composite resin, according to the manufacturers' recommendation. Microleakage was evaluated by dye extraction method in two subgroups, immediately (24 h) and after 6 months in storage. Scan electronic microscope analyses for two samples of each group were also conducted. Data were analysed by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey test.

The lowest and the highest amount of microleakage were observed in the ethanol group and in the control group, respectively. There were significant differences in microleakage among the groups (P = 0.003) and between measurement times (P = 0.001). For each storage time, the control group showed significant differences from the other groups and there were no differences between the other groups.

Ethanol-wet bonding and chlorhexidine application may have potential benefits in lowering the occurrence of microleakage in the long term.