Marginal microleakage of alternative restorative treatment and conventional glass ionomer restorations in extracted primary molars.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the marginal leakage of cervical glass ionomer restorations made using alternative restorative treatment (ART) and conventional restoration techniques.

METHODS

Twenty primary molars with Class V carious dentin on the buccal surfaces were prepared using ART, and a second set of 20 noncarious molars had Class V preparations made with a high-speed handpiece. The occlusal margin was located in enamel and the gingival margin in dentin/cementum. All teeth were restored with high-density glass ionomer cement (GIC; Fuji IXgp) according to manufacturers' instructions, thermally stressed for 300 cycles, and stained with methylene blue. Samples were sectioned and evaluated for microleakage.

RESULTS

One-way analysis of variance revealed no statistically significant difference between leakage at margins of ART and conventional restorations. (P=.92) There was no significant difference between leakage at the enamel and dentin margins.

CONCLUSIONS

Alternative restorative treatment with high-density glass ionomer cement provides enamel and dentin margins that show marginal leakage comparable to conventionally restored primary teeth. These results show the potential of ART in conjunction with high-density GIC in providing treatment for children and adolescents in situations where traditional cavity preparation and restoration is not possible.