Cavity preparation for restorative resins used with dentin adhesives.

The marginal adaptation of Silux used with and without previous application of different dentin adhesives was analyzed for correlation between maximum marginal contraction gap (MG) and different combinations of one or more of the following variables: area of cavity walls (A), the total area of cavity bottom and cavity walls (B), cavity depth (h), area of cavity surface (S) and cavity volume (V). The best fit to linear regression was found with MG = a + b . V/A with the mean of the correlation coefficients being 0.907. The statistical analysis showed that in order to maintain the V/A ratio at a minimum, root caries lesions should not be prepared after excavation if the retention of the restorative resin can be ensured with an effective dentin adhesive. The greatest influence on the V/A ratio was found to be exerted by the radius of the cavity bottom; variation of the radius of the surface of the cavity also influenced the V/A ratio, but to a minor degree.