Microleakage and marginal gap formation of glass ionomer resin restorations

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare microleakage and marginal gap formation of three light-cured glass ionomer cements (LCGI). Thirty non-carious human premolar teeth were used in this study. A Class V cavity was prepared in the buccal surface of each tooth. The teeth were randomly divided into three experimental groups of 10 teeth each and restored with three LCGI materials. The teeth in each group were processed for microleakage study using 5% methylene blue. Subsequently, each tooth was embedded in acrylic resin and sectioned longitudinally in a buccolingual direction. Examination of the specimens for dye penetration was done. Later, evaluation of marginal gap formation and analysis of adhesion mechanism were done using SEM. The results indicated that LCGI restorations placed in vitro without thermocycling did not consistently prevent microleakage. Vari Glass VLC showed the least leakage. There was no significant difference in the microleakage between the occlusal and gingival margins. Marginal gap formation was found only in one LCGI material. Generally, the presence of a clearly identified ion-exchange layer was not found.