Microleakage of a dental amalgam alloy bonding agent

Amalgambond (a 4-META derivative resin bond agent) was evaluated for its effectiveness in reducing microleakage compared to copal varnish and no lining agent in class 5 amalgam preparations restored with either an admix alloy (Dispersalloy) or a spherical alloy (Tytin). Teeth were thermocycled between 5 and 55 degrees C with two 4-META/amalgam groups additionally aged in 37 degrees C water for 30 days prior to thermocycling. Nonaged, 4-META/amalgam restorations showed significantly less microleakage (P < 0.05) at enamel and dentin margins compared to copal varnish or nonlined restorations. Within the 4-META groups, the 4-META/Dispersalloy restorations had significantly less microleakage than the 4-META/Tytin restorations at enamel margins. Microleakage in the aged 4-META/amalgam restorations was significantly greater at both the enamel and dentin margins than in the analogous nonaged groups. SEM evaluation of the 4-META lined restorations found internal cavity surfaces of the preparations to be sealed by the resin liner with separations and apparent microleakage occurring at the 4-META/amalgam interface.