The effectiveness of dentine adhesives as demonstrated by dye penetration and SEM investigations.

A previous investigation identified three types of cuspal movement that occur as a result of polymerization shrinkage when extracted molar teeth are filled with a microfine or hybrid composite used in conjunction with a dentine adhesive. That investigation was extended further by dye penetration and SEM studies of the margin, involving assessment of the degree of dye penetration and marginal integrity around the restoration. These studies indicate that there may be a failure of the adhesive bond between tooth and composite/adhesive complex which correlates with little or no cuspal movement. Failure within the tooth structure itself was also observed in a number of cases.