An Evaluation of the Surface Condition of Dentin and Its Effect on Microleakage of Metal Copings luted with Glass Ionomer Cement: An in vitro Study

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the surface conditioned dentin and its effect on microleakage of metal copings luted with glass-ionomer cement. Objectives: (1) To evaluate the morphology of unconditioned and conditioned dentin, (2) to evaluate the elemental composition of unconditioned and conditioned dentin, (3) to evaluate and compare the microleakage of metal copings luted with glass-ionomer cement to unconditioned and conditioned dentin, (4) to correlate the effect of dentin conditioning on the microleakage of metal copings luted with glass ionomer cement. Materials and methods: The surface conditioning methods utilized were GC dentin conditioner (group II), air abrasion with 50 μm aluminum oxide (group III) and Er: YAG laser at 120 mj with 10 Hz frequency (group IV). These methods were evaluated and compared with unconditioned dentin (group I) for morphological and elemental analysis using ESEM and correlated for their effect on microleakage of metal copings luted with glass Ionomer cement (Fuji I). Results: The results of microleakage observed for each group were statistically analyzed by Leven’s test, One-way ANOVA and Schiff’s test. Unconditioned dentin (group I) showed the maximum microleakage. Er:YAG laser (group IV) irradiation with less power density showed significantly minimum microleakage compared to all other groups, followed by air abrasion (group III) and GC dentin conditioner (group II). Conclusion: Air abrasion and Er: YAG laser conditioning showed less microleakage than surface conditioning with dentin conditioner.