Effects of Cavity Conditioners on Restoration Leakage

Objectives: Leakage behavior is determined, at least in part, by the cavity location and its preparation and the present study compares the leakage behavior of Cl V cavities located wholly in enamel or ½ enamel-½ cementum and treated with 6 conditioners prior to restoration. Methods: 2 mm of the root was removed from 120 extracted premolars and the pulpal tissue removed to reamer size #90. PVC-insulated wires were inserted into the root canals to firm contact with the pulp chamber roof and the tooth-wire interfaces and root surfaces were sealed. Cl. V cavities (3 x 2 x 2 mm) were cut in enamel or ½ enamel-½ cementum in the teeth with medium grit diamond burs and the cavities acid etched, treated with Prime&Bond NT, SE Bond, Prompt-L-Pop, Optibond or two experimental 1 step conditioners prior to restoration with TPH composite. The teeth were immersed in 0.9% NaCl and leakage continuously for 30 d by iR drop across a 100 resistor in series with a 10V DC source and a stainless steel strip. Results: All specimens were variable in behavior with enamel/cementum preparations leaking more than enamel-only preparations except for the two experimental conditioners. Enamel-only preparations treated with Prime&Bond, SE Bond and the experimental conditioners leaked less (p<0.05) than Optibond and Prompt-L-Pop while enamel/cementum preparations treated with SE Bond and the experimental products leaked less (p<.01) than all other conditioners. Conclusions: Teeth treated with the 2 experimental 1-step conditioners leaked less than teeth provided with other conditioning regimens for wholly enamel and enamel/cementum preparations.