Permeability and microleakage of Class II resin composite restorations

The aim of this study was to evaluate the variations in microleakage of large Class II (MOD) restorations over time. Three different combinations of dentine bonding agents and posterior resin composites which had previously shown promise were used: Vitrebond/Scotchbond 2 plus P50, Tripton plus Occlusin and Clearfil Photo Bond plus Clearfil Photo Posterior. Conventional Class II cavities were prepared in freshly extracted third molars. All gingival margins were terminated at the cemento-enamel junction. A fluid-under-pressure apparatus connected with the pulp chamber of each tooth was used to evaluate the permeability and marginal leakage of the restorations at 0.069 MPa. Microleakage was tested after insertion of restorations at 2, 15, 45, 150 min, after 1, 2, 7, 14 days, after 1, 2, 3 months, after thermal cycling and 10 months later, after occlusal loading. Finally, all specimens were exposed to silver nitrate solution to measure microleakage as dye penetration. Immediately after insertion of the restorations, all the materials showed a higher microleakage than after 1-2 days. After 4-8 weeks, all the restorations exhibited an increased permeability suggesting that hygroscopic expansion was not sufficient to keep pace with hydrolytic degradation of the restorations. Neither thermocycling or occlusal stresses increased the microleakage of the restorations.