Microleakage of a new improved glass ionomer restorative material in primary and permanent teeth.

PURPOSE The objective of this study was to assess the microleakage of the new conventional glass ionomer, Fuji IXgp in comparison to another conventional glass ionomer (Fuji II), a resin modified glass ionomer (Vitremer) and a composite resin (TPH) in primary and permanent teeth. METHODS Twenty-five extracted human premolars and 13 primary molars were used. Preparations were made on the center of the buccal and lingual aspects of the premolars (Group A) and the mesio buccal and disto buccal surface as well as the mesio lingual and disto lingual surface of the primary molars (Group B). Each group was randomly divided into five subgroups of 10 specimens each and restored with a different material following the manufacturer's recommendations. Restorations were subjected to thermocycling followed by microleakage evaluation using 50% silver nitrate and computerized image analysis. RESULTS Two factor analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect of material (P<0.001), a trend toward a main effect of tooth type (P=0.082) and a significant interaction term P=0.016. Materials were a source of difference, so a one-way ANOVA test was used for both primary and permanent teeth together and for each individual group of teeth. Differences were further examined with a multi-variate analysis using the Scheffe' test for both groups of teeth and each individual group of teeth. Each group of teeth restored with the same material was then analyzed with an Independent Samples t-test which showed that conventional glass ionomer (Fuji II) had more leakage than all other groups (P<0.01). In addition TPH showed more microleakage in primary teeth (P<0.02) and Fuji II showed more microleakage in permanent teeth (P<0.02). CONCLUSIONS Fuji IXgp behaved similarly to the composite (TPH) and to the resin modified glass ionomer (Vitremer). This is a promising result for this material that is targeted for application in conjunction with the Atraumatic Restorative Technique and minimal intervention treatments.