Evaluation of sealing ability of three materials used as barriers over the remaining filling material after post space preparation.

The filling material remaining after post space preparation may not be enough to prevent the contamination of periapical tissues when the root canal is exposed to saliva. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate leakage through three different materials used as barriers over the remaining filling. Thirty-two human premolars were selected for this study. Following the endodontic treatment, post spaces were prepared, leaving 4 mm of filling material. A barrier 1 mm high was placed over the filling material using Cotosol, VitoFil or MTA (n = 8). Absence of barrier was used as control. The specimens were immersed in 2% methylene blue dye for 12 hours, after which they were sectioned immediately below the barriers and the apical portions were ground into powder in a mill for hard tissues. The powder was immersed in absolute alcohol to dilute the dye and then the dye concentration was analyzed using an absorbance spectrophotometer. Dye concentration was classified according to scores from 0 to 4, and the scores were submitted to Kruskal-Wallis and Tukey's post-hoc tests (alpha = 0.05). Only Cotosol and MTA reduced the leakage when compared to control. Vitrofil showed leakage values similar to both MTA and control, but higher than Cotosol. In conclusion, the material used as a barrier can have an effect on leakage through the remaining filling material.

Effect of polymerization mode and time of adhesive system on microleakage in composite resin restorations.

AIM: To quantify the microleakage on restorations carried out with a two-step etch-and-rise adhesive system and nanofilled composite resin after thermal and mechanical loading cycling. METHODS: Ninety cavities were prepared on proximal surfaces of incisive teeth, and were randomly divided according to the photoactivation time (10, 20, or 30 s) and light-curing mode (Quartz Tungsten Halogen (QTH) lamps, 450 mW/cm(2); Light Emitting Diode (LED) second generation, 1100 mW/cm(2); or LED third generation, 700 mW/cm(2)) of an adhesive system (n = 10). Following restorative procedures and thermal and mechanical loading cycling, the samples were immersed in Methylene Blue for 2 h. The samples were ground, and the powder was prepared for analysis in an absorbance spectrophotometer. All results were statistically analyzed by anova and Tukey's test at the 5% level of significance. RESULTS: There were no significant statistical difference in microleakage between the light-curing mode (P = 0.1212) and light-curing time (P = 0.2043). CONCLUSION: Different curing modes and increasing the curing time were not factors that influenced the process of microleakage.

Influence of flowable composite and restorative technique on microleakage of class II restorations.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the microleakage in class II cavities restored with dental composite by varying the thickness of two flowable composite resins and the restorative technique. METHODS: A total of 130 cavities were prepared on proximal surfaces of bovine teeth and randomly divided in 13 groups. Twelve experimental groups were performed using flowable composite resin as the liner, and they were divided according to the type of flowable composite resin (Filtek Z350 Flow-Z350F and SureFil SDR Flow-SUR), the thickness of the flowable composite (0.5, 1, or 2 mm), and the restorative technique (flowable composite applied at the cavosurface angle or amelodentinal junction) (n = 10). A control group was performed without using a flowable composite. Following restorative procedures and thermocycling, the samples were immersed in Methylene Blue for 2 h, and prepared for analysis in an absorbance spectrophotometer. All results were statistically analyzed (α = 0.05). RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the flowable composites (P > 0.05). The restorative techniques influenced microleakage and were flowable composite dependent (P ≤ 0.05). The lower thickness of the flowable composite provided less microleakage (P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: The use a lower thickness of a flowable composite resin provided less microleakage, suggesting a better sealing tooth-restoration interface.