Effect of Fluoride Recharge on the Microleakage of Fluoride-Releasing Restorative Materials: An Ex Vivo Confocal...

Success or failure of a restoration depends on its ability to bond to the tooth structure, to reduce microleakage, and to inhibit secondary caries. Fluoride-releasing materials have the inherent potential to release fluoride and are also capable of recharging themselves with topical agents.

The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the effect of fluoride recharge on microleakage of different restorative materials.

Eighty extracted teeth were collected and split mesiodistally into 160 specimens. Class V cavities were prepared on buccal and lingual surfaces. Specimens were divided into four groups of 40 each based on the restorative material. Group I: Glass ionomer; Group II: Resin composite; Group III: Giomer; and Group IV: Alkasite. The restored teeth were stored in artificial saliva. Each group was divided into four subgroups for fluoride recharge and subsequent confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) examination: (A) no fluoride recharge and CLSM examination after 24 h, (B) no fluoride recharge and CLSM examination after 3 weeks, (C) fluoride recharge once at third week followed by CLSM examination at 6 weeks, and (D) fluoride recharge twice at third week and sixth week followed by CLSM examination at 9 weeks.

Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to analyze the obtained data.

A significant difference in microleakage was noted among resin composite and other groups except Cention-N, whereas no significant difference was noted pre- and post-fluoride recharge.

Increased microleakage was noted post-fluoride recharge, although statistically not significant.