Cavity disinfectants and dentin bonding.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect on microleakage of two disinfectants, one chlorhexidine based and the other I2-KI/CuSO4 based, used as cavity washes prior to the application of the dentin bonding systems Tenure and Syntac in class 5 composite restorations. Class 5 cavity preparations were placed on extracted molars with occlusal margins in enamel and gingival margins in cementum. Preparations were treated with either Syntac or Tenure, combinations of one of the two disinfectant washes with Syntac or Tenure, or with one of the disinfectants only and filled with Tetric composite. Samples were thermocycled, stained, and sectioned to evaluate dye penetration. The chlorhexidine-based wash did not significantly affect microleakage when compared to the Tenure and Syntac controls, while the I2-KI/CuSO4-based wash resulted in significantly higher gingival microleakage when used with Syntac. The use of cavity disinfectants with composite resin restorations appears to be material specific regarding their interactions with various dentin bonding systems' ability to seal dentin.