The effect of glass ionomer cement and composite resin fillings on marginal gingiva.

Glass ionomer cement and composite resin are the most popular restorative materials in operative dentistry today. Earlier studies have shown more crevicular exudate around different types of composite resins than around intact enamel surfaces. The aim of this study was (1) to investigate plaque, retention on and the condition of the gingiva around, 1-year-old, subgingivally located, glass ionomer cement and composite resin fillings, and (2) to compare the initiation of gingival inflammation around these materials with that around enamel during a 14-day period of experimental gingivitis. Plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing and crevicular fluid were recorded and compared intra-individually. The amount of plaque and the degree of gingivitis adjacent to the composite fillings were not significantly higher than those for the glass ionomer cement and enamel surfaces in both the cross sectional and the experimental gingivitis study. Composite resin surfaces showed significantly higher crevicular fluid levels than did enamel at all days in the experimental gingivitis study. Glass ionomer cement showed significantly higher values at day-0 and day-7.