Class 5 composite resin restorations: margin configurations and the distance from the CEJ

An in vitro study of 60 teeth examined the cervical microleakage of class 5 composite resin restorations in regard to preparation design and location from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). Four groups of 15 teeth each were prepared for a class 5 composite resin restoration with the cervical margins finished as follows: a butt joint margin placed less than 1 mm from the CEJ, a beveled margin placed less than 1 mm from the CEJ, a butt joint placed greater than 1.5 mm from the CEJ, and a beveled margin placed greater than 1.5 mm from the CEJ. The teeth were acid etched, treated with an enamel bonding agent, and restored with a microfilled composite resin, and then sectioned for further analysis. The sectioned specimens were evaluated for cervical microleakage by Ca45 autoradiography. The butt joint margins placed less than 1 mm from the CEJ had significantly more microleakage than the other groups, indicating that all enamel margins of a class 5 composite resin restoration should be beveled to decrease microleakage regardless of their location relative to the cementoenamel junction.