Microleakage assessment using 7^th generation bonding agent with micro-hybrid composite restoration immersed in a carbonated drink – an in vitro study

Introduction: Restored teeth in the course of chewing or when exposed to thermal stimuli may lead to sensitivity. One of the significant reasons for sensitivity is microleakage. The repercussion of unaddressed microleakage leading to secondary caries and further on. The purpose of this study was to compare the microleakage of amongst different types of restorative materials which were silver amalgam and micro-hybrid composite resin with 7^th generation bonding agent. And also to examine the effect of carbonated drink on microleakage. Materials and method: Forty extracted premolars were used for the study. Class V cavities were prepared on the buccal surfaces of the teeth, 1mm above the cementoenamel junction cervico-occlusal. Twenty cavities were restored with silver amalgam, and the remaining with composite resin. Group I and Group II both comprised of 10 teeth with silver amalgam restoration and ten teeth with composite resin restoration were immersed in the carbonated drink and water respectively for 15 minutes for ten days. The teeth were later immersed in methylene blue, sectioned and evaluated under a microscope. Statistical analyses used were Fisher's exact test. Result: Silver amalgam showed highest microleakage tendency in the carbonated drink, (P > 0.05). In water, silver amalgam had the least tendency for microleakage. However, composite resin did not statistically significant microleakage in both carbonated drink and water. Conclusion: The silver amalgam restorations showed microleakage in both carbonated drink and water. The microleakage was significantly higher in the carbonated beverage. On the other hand, composite resin restoration showed microleakage neither in carbonated drink nor water.