Microleakage of Posterior Composite Restorations with Fiber Inserts Using two Adhesives after Aging

Statement of Problem: Microleakage is one of the most frequent problems associated with resin composites, especially at the gingival margin of posterior restorations. Insertion of fibers in composite restorations can reduce the total amount of composite and help to decrease the shrinkage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of polyethylene fiber inserts on gingival microleakage of class II composite restorations using two different adhesive systems. In this experimental study, class II cavities were prepared on 60 premolars. The gingival floor was located 1.0 mm below the CEJ. Dimension of each cavity were 3 mm buccolingually and 1.5 mm in axial depth. The specimens were divided into 4 groups according to the adhesive type and fiber insert (n=4). Single bond and Clearfill SE bond and Filtek p60 were used to restore the cavities. In groups without fiber inserts composite was adapted onto cavities using layering technique. For cavities with fiber inserts, 3 mm piece of fiber insert was placed onto the composite increment and cured. The specimens were stored in distilled water at 37oC for 6 months. All specimens were subjected to 3000 thermo-cycling. The tooth surfaces except for 1 mm around the restoration margins covered with two layers of nail varnish. The teeth were immersed in 2% Basic Fuchsin for 24 hours, then rinsed and sectioned mesiodistally. The microleakage was determined under a stereomicroscope (40X). Data were statistically analyzed by Kruskal-wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests (p< 0.05). The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed no significant differences in mean microleakage scores among all groups (p= 0.281). Use of polyethylene fiber inserts and etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesives had no effect on microleakage in class II resin composite restorations with gingival margins below the CEJ after 6- month water storage.