Microleakage of Class V compomer and light-cured glass ionomer restorations.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Resin-modified (light-cured) glass ionomer and polyacid-modified composite resin (compomer) restorations are popular choices for the restoration of root caries and cervical abrasion/erosion lesions, but clinical studies are relatively few and have been published primarily as abstracts. PURPOSE: In the absence of adequate clinical data, the marginal integrity of restorations of the above two types of material was compared in vitro. The microleakage of restorations of two light-cured glass ionomer restorative materials and of one compomer material was evaluated. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Restorations of the three materials were placed in facial and lingual Class V cavity preparations in bovine incisors. All preparations were centered on the cementoenamel junction and were prepared with 45-degree enamel bevels. After thermal cycling, teeth were immersed in methylene blue dye, then sections of the restorations (n = 16) were visually evaluated. RESULTS: Dye penetration was observed at approximately 20% of restoration margins for all three materials, with the greatest incidence of severe leakage in the compomer restorations. CONCLUSION: No significant difference in microleakage among the three materials (ANOVA; p > 0.05) was found.