MICROLEAKAGE: An in vitro study

Dental

Over the past years, esthetic dentistry has shown considerable progress, leading to the development of a number of improved restorative materials. Currently, the main concerns regarding the performance of these materials refer to their durability and the integrity of marginal sealing.[1] A major advancement in the current practice of dentistry is restoration of teeth with tooth colored, adhesive materials. The success and longevity of a dental restorative material depends on the sealing of the cavity walls.[2] Microleakage may be defined as the movement of bacteria, fluids, molecules, or ions, and even air between the prepared cavity walls and the subsequently applied restorative materials.[1] Since the introduction of glass ionomer cements (GIC) in 1972, they have been widely used as restorative materials, luting cements and base materials.[5] These materials have widened the armamentarium of tooth-colored restorative material, and in particular, they have been successfully used for restoration of cervical lesions.[6] Their main advantages are relative ease of use, bonding potential to enamel and dentin, and fluoride ion release.[7] Composites were introduced in the 1960s and since then have undergone a lot of research and development.[8] Composite possess excellent physical and mechanical properties such as compressive, flexural and tensile strength as well as esthetics. The only disadvantage with composite is that several clinical steps are required to obtain a good interfacial bond.[9] Compomers were introduced in 1992. These materials contain 20% glass ionomer cement combined with 20% visible light polymerized resin component.[9] Compomers are actually a cross between composite resin and glass ionomer cement and are termed polyacid modified, resin based composite.[2] Their excellent physical properties along with fluoride releasing ability, minimal steps in placement and composite like esthetics make them the strongest and most esthetically desirable material.[9]

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