Microleakage of adhesively bonded cervical amalgam restorations.

PURPOSE: To evaluate dye penetration in adhesively bonded cervical amalgam restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The specimens were randomly divided into four groups and the adhesives Prime & Bond 2.1, Prime & Bond 2.1 Dual Cure, Scotchbond Multi Purpose Plus and Amalgambond Plus were tested. After being restored and polished, the teeth were thermocycled 1,000 times at temperatures varying between 5 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C and 55 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Kruskal-Wallis test and multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus demonstrated lower levels of microleakage in enamel and dentin. The dual adhesives were more effective than the "one bottle" adhesive.