RESUMO
We considered Class II dental cavities in critical tooth areas concerned with vital pulp therapy, and evaluated the marginal gap after treatment with Biodentine and Geristore, and one composite after either etching and adhesive (V2) and after use of a self-etching system (iBond Universal). We measured the surface morphology at the marginal gap by optical profilometry, and carried out analysis of the 3D data according to a new effective definition of marginal gap. The defined quantity was assessed for statistical significance of the apparent differences. The largest gaps appeared for Geristore (first) and Biodentine (not significantly lower), whereas the gaps of the composite controls were both lower, the lowest being the two-step self-etched system with respect to the three-steps etched and adhesive system, yet without statistical significance. Obviously, there is still room for improvement of the vital pulp therapy restorative materials, as compared to the use of standard composite systems.