In vitro assessment of the microleakage around preventive resin (laminate) restorations.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro, the microleakage of laminate restorations using two resin systems and the influence of etching and curing regimen on the leakage. A total of 135 extracted, human third molars with similar occlusal dimensions were chosen. Cavities were prepared and the teeth were then separated into nine groups of fifteen teeth each. The incidence of microleakage in this study varied between no leakage and 46.7 percent. Leakage of preventive resin restorations was reported to occur in 16.7 percent to 25 percent of cases. The fact that the variables tested in this study had no significant effect on the microleakage would suggest that the leakage is dependent on that of the fissure sealant. The group restored with a fissure sealant containing releasable fluoride and an adhesion promoter performed well in this study.