Sealing capacity of a resin-modified glass-ionomer and resin composite placed in vivo in Class 5 restorations.

A 2% methylene blue dye was used to assess the leakage resistance of class 5 resin-modified glass-ionomer and resin composite restorations placed in 17 adults. The teeth were extracted 75 to 90 days after placement of the restorations and immersed for 24 hours in the dye solution. Within 7 days after extraction the teeth were sectioned inciso-apically through the center of the restoration and inspected under a stereomicroscope at X20 to determine the depth of dye penetration. No significant differences between the resin-modified glass-ionomer and resin composite restorations at the incisal or cervical margins were found. Although no more than 30% of the restorations of either group exhibited microleakage, neither of the restorative systems was able to completely prevent leakage at either incisal or cervical margins.