Assessment of marginal leakage around class 2 composite restorations in retrieved primary molars

Author(s): Anna B. Fuks, Aubrey Chosack, Eliezer Eidelman
Journal: Pediatric Dentistry – The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Volume (number): Volume 12, Number 1
Month, Year: February, 1990
Major topic: Restortive dentistry
Minor topic(s): Class 2 composite restorations – marginal leakage
Type of Article: Retrospective study
Main Purpose(s): To evaluate the microleakage around class 2 composite restorations in retrieved primary molars that functioned in the mouth for at least one year.
Overview of method of research: 60 primary molars had been restored with Herculite composite resin using either a bulk or an incremental filling technique, and had been assessed clinically and radiographically after one year using a dye to determine extent of microleakage.
Findings: No difference was found between the two filling techniques of incremental and bulk. Minimal leakage was observed at the occlusal margins in only two of the teeth, one of each filling technique. Severe marginal leakage was observed at the cervical margin of three of the restorations and mild to moderate cervical margin leakage was observed in the majority of the others.
Key points/Summary: An incremental filling technique did not improve the quality of the cervical margin in this study. This could be due to a combination of factors such as thin enamel, poor adherence of the material at the cervical margin, and the difficulty of condensation of the material to the gingival wall. Polymerization contraction is related directly to marginal leakage, and increases with the size of the restorations. Shrinkage of small restorations in facial surfaces could be of lesser significance than in large class 2 restorations.
Assessment of article: Interesting study – results as expected – Goes to show how important good isolation and how technique sensitive class 2 restorations are.