Microleakage of composite resin and glass ionomer cement restorations in retentive and nonretentive cervical cavity preparations.

Ketac Fil glass ionomer cement (GIC) and Scotchbond 2 dentinal bonding agent (DBA)/Silux Plus composite resin restorations were inserted in cervical cavity preparations of extracted human teeth. After thermocycling, the specimens were invested and sectioned longitudinally and horizontally through the center of the restoration. Microleakage was evaluated as a ratio of the extent of methylene blue dye penetration at the tooth-restoration interface. Although all restorations exhibited leakage, both the GIC and bonded composite resin restorations recorded less leakage in retentive than in nonretentive cavity preparations. Composite resin restorations in nonretentive cavity preparations showed significantly more dye penetration toward the pulpal chamber than the GIC restorations. Ketac Fil GIC restorations inserted without a matrix strip exhibited less leakage than those with a matrix strip. The most desirable results were recorded with Scotchbond 2 DBA/Silux Plus composite resin restorations in retentive preparations.