The effect of cavity disinfectants on microleakage in dentin bonding systems

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect on microleakage of two disinfectants, one a chlorhexidine based and the other alcohol based, used as cavity washes prior to the application of one step dentin bonding systems Syntac and Prime & Bond in Class V composite restorations. Children between 10-12 years old, with noncarious second primary molars about to exfoliate, were selected for this study. Cavity preparations were treated with either Syntac or Prime & Bond, combinations of one of the two disinfectants washes with Syntac or Prime & Bond or with one of the disinfectants only and filled with Tetric composite resin. All teeth were extracted one month later, stained and sectioned to evaluate dye penetration. As a result, focal dry disinfectant when used as a cavity wash prior to the use of Prime & Bond did not effect the ability of dentin bonding agents to prevent microleakage. Chlorhexidine solution had an adverse effect on Syntac and Prime & Bond and produced significantly higher microleakage when used with these bonding systems. The use of cavity disinfectants with composite resin restorations appears to be material specific regarding the interactions with various dentin bonding systems and the ability to seal dentin.