Effect of a resin-based desensitizing agent and a self-etching dentin adhesive on marginal leakage of amalgam restorations.

AIM The purpose of this study was to compare the marginal leakage of Class II amalgam restorations whose preparations were lined with a resin-based desensitizing agent, a self-etching adhesive system, and copal varnish. METHODS AND MATERIALS Fifty-six freshly extracted human premolar teeth were divided into four groups. A Class II preparation was prepared with only a proximal box on the mesial and distal surfaces of each tooth. The cavities in one group were lined with a desensitizing agent (VivaSens) and a second group with an adhesive (Clearfil S3 Bond). A third group was lined with copal varnish (Copalite) and a fourth group was used as the control without any cavity liner. Spherical high copper amalgam was hand-condensed into each preparation, specimens were thermocycled, stained, and sectioned. Microleakage was graded using a stereomicroscope. Microleakage scores were calculated and analyzed using the Kruskal Wallis and the Mann-Whitney tests (alpha=0.05). RESULTS Less microleakage was indicated with the VivaSens liner when compared with the other groups (P<0.05). Clearfil S3 Bond showed less microleakage than the control group (P<0.05), but the leakage with copal varnish and Clearfil S3 Bond was similar (P>0.05). CONCLUSION VivaSens reduced the microleakage of Class II high copper amalgam restorations significantly more than the Clearfil S3 Bond and copal varnish.