Microleakage in fiber‑reinforced versus conventional composite restorations

Abstract

Background: Composite restorations are prone to hybrid structure degradation and microleakage
over time, which causes destruction and discoloration of the restoration’s margins, caries recurrence,
postrestoration sensitivity, and pulp irritation. New fiber‑reinforced restorations may reduce
some of the disadvantages of conventional composite restorations. This study aimed to compare
microleakage of fiber‑reinforced and conventional composite restorations.
Materials and Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, 40 healthy extracted permanent
premolars were included. The teeth were randomly divided into two groups: the first group
consisted of teeth restored with fiber‑reinforced composite and the second group consisted of
teeth restored with conventional composite. In the teeth of both groups, two class II cavities were
prepared, and then, according to the grouping, they were restored with composite or composite
and fiber. Each cavity had a mesiodistal length of 2 mm, a buccopalatal width of 4 mm, and a depth
of 5 mm, with proximal locations in the premolars. In the next step, the apex of all samples was
sealed with adhesive wax, and the tooth surfaces were covered with two layers of nail polish and
placed in 0.5% Fuchsin solution at room temperature for 24 h. Finally, the teeth were cut in half,
and the extent of dye penetration was determined with a stereomicroscope equipped with a digital
camera. The Mann–Whitney test was used to compare microleakage between groups. P ≤ 0.05 was
considered statistically significant.
Results: The median of microleakage score was 1 (interquartile range [IQR] = 2) in the intervention
group and 2 (IQR = 1) in the control group. The difference between groups was statistically
significant (P = 0.012).
Conclusion: This study revealed significantly lower microleakage with fiber‑reinforced composite
compared to conventional composite.
Key Words: Dental leakage, dental restoration, fiber‑reinforced composite, microleakage

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 Mohsen Ramazani: Pubmed,Google Scholar