STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Despite recent advances in adhesive dentistry, resin cement/dentin adhesive combinations are not able to prevent microleakage in ceramic inlays. Marginal quality of tooth-colored restorations in large Class II cavities is satisfactory in enamel margins, but microleakage in dentin margins remains a concern.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microleakage of all-ceramic inlays luted with 2 dual-polymerizing resin cements or 1 autopolymerizing resin cement in combination with different dentin adhesives.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred and twenty extracted human mandibular third molars were used in this study. Teeth were prepared to receive Class II MOD inlays with enamel gingival margins on 1 proximal surface and dentin gingival margins on the other surface. One hundred and twenty prepared teeth were divided into 3 groups of 40; 1 group for each resin cement: RelyX ARC, Variolink II, or Panavia 21. Each of the 3 groups were further divided into 4 dentin adhesive groups; Single Bond, ExciTE DSC, ED Primer, or Admira Bond. Each of the resin cements were used in combination with the 4 dentin adhesives, and IPS Empress ceramic inlays were placed with 12 different cement/adhesive combinations. After 1000 thermal cycles in a 5 degrees -55 degrees C water bath with a dwell time of 30 seconds, all specimens were subjected to cyclic axial mechanical loading. Then the restored teeth were stored in 0.5% basic fuchsin solution for 24 hours. The extent of dye penetration along the margins was measured with a stereomicroscope at x40 magnification. The data were evaluated statistically using repeated-measures ANOVA and Duncan tests (alpha=.05).

RESULTS

Microleakage at dentin margins was greater than that at enamel margins (P<.05) for all groups. Variolink II and RelyX ARC resin cements showed significantly lower microleakage results than Panavia 21 with all dentin adhesives in enamel margins. For dentin margins, Variolink II/Admira Bond combination showed the lowest microleakage value in dentin (P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The overall microleakage at the enamel margins was significantly less than at the dentin margins (P<.05). Panavia 21 showed higher microleakage values than Variolink II and RelyX ARC in enamel margins.