The effect of various surface contaminants on the microleakage of two different generation bonding agents: A stereomicroscopic study

AIM: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microleakage of two different generation bonding agents in the presence of various surface contaminants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Class V cavities were prepared on 150 extracted human permanent molars. The samples were randomly divided into two main groups of 75 teeth each. Group I: Fifth generation bonding system (Single Bond, 3M). Group II: Seventh generation bonding system (iBond, Kulzer). Subgroups were formed according to exposure to different surface contaminants (saliva, blood, caries disclosing agent and haemostatic agent). Cavities were restored with hybrid composite (Z-100, 3M) and evaluated for microleakage. The scores were subjected to ‘t’ test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. RESULTS: Single Bond and iBond did not provide complete resistance to microleakage when there was no contamination. Microleakage was minimum in the no contamination subgroup and maximum with the haemostatic agent subgroup for both the groups. CONCLUSION: Single bond showed lesser micro leakage in contaminated conditions.