An in vitro microleakage study of three restorative techniques for Class II restorations in posterior teeth

Microleakage associated with a silver reinforced restorative glass ionomer cement used alone and also as a laminate restoration with a composite resin and dentine adhesive in extracted premolar and molar teeth was evaluated. The influence of artificial saliva, thermal and load cycling was also determined. The composite and dentine adhesive alone were used for comparative purposes. The results showed that the composite resin/dentine adhesive restorations showed substantial microleakage at both the cervical and occlusal margins of the Class II restorations, whereas the glass ionomer alone showed little or no leakage after storage in water for seven days at 37 degrees C. These results were confirmed when the restorations were thermo-cycled and load stressed. The addition of glass ionomer as a base to the composite forming the laminate restoration reduced the leakage substantially and in certain conditions the leakage was less than that observed with glass ionomer restoratives alone.