The influence of different composite placement techniques on microleakage in preparations with high C- factor: An in vitro study

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the marginal leakage around class-I cavity preparations restored with Nanofilled composite (Filtek Z-350 A2 shade, 3M ESPE, USA) and a self-etch adhesive (Xeno III, DENTSPLY/Caulk) using different composite placement techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standardized class-I cavities were prepared on 36 caries-free, extracted human premolars and were randomly assigned to three groups: (1) Horizontal incremental curing was done; each increment of thickness 1.5 mm was cured one after the other using curing unit (T-LED, Elca Technology, Italy). (2) Concave surface was obtained with a ball burnisher on the first increment and cured for 20 seconds; subsequently, the next increment was placed and similarly cured. (3) Cavities were filled with resin, short of the occlusal surface; two cuts (mesiodistal and buccolingual) were made through the condensed resin and cured for 20 seconds, followed by addition of resin in the gaps created by the cuts and additional curing for 20 seconds. The specimens were stored in distilled water for three months and then subjected to thermocycling, followed by immersion in 0.5% methylene blue dye for 24 hours. The teeth were sectioned longitudinally and evaluated for microleakage under stereomicroscope, and the scores obtained were analysed with Fisher Exact test and Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference among three groups. CONCLUSION: None of the techniques was capable of eliminating the microleakage in preparations with a high C-factor.