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Adhesive bonding of resin materials to acid-conditioned enamel is a clinically proven technique in preventative, restorative, and orthodontic procedures. Laboratory evaluations of etched-enamel resin bonding have shown excellent bond strengths and the virtual elimination of marginal microleakage. Adhesion to dentin has been more of a challenge. Earlier-generation dentin bonding systems did not yield high bond strengths in the laboratory or prevent marginal microleakage. Newer-generation adhesive systems generally use a dentin conditioner to modify or remove the smear layer and a subsequent application of an adhesive resin bonding agent. Laboratory evaluations of newer systems have shown bond strengths that approach or actually exceed that of etched enamel resin bonding. Bond strengths have improved with the evolution of dentin bonding systems, and microleakage from the cementum/dentin margin has been significantly reduced or prevented with the newer systems. Although laboratory testing of adhesive systems provides a mechanism to screen and compare newly developed systems, clinical trials are essential to document long-term clinical performance.

A 4-META-containing adhesive was evaluated for its ability to bond a composite resin and two types of amalgam to dentin. One group of composite resin was tested after 24 hours and another group after 24 hours of thermocycling. Shear bond strengths were: composite resin at 24 hours = 22.38 MPa; thermocycled composite resin = 20.86 MPa; spherical alloy = 3.38 MPa; admixed alloy = 3.84 MPa. Microleakage was evaluated after the 4-META adhesive was applied to cavity preparations and compared to that of a group treated with a cavity varnish. There was statistically significantly less microleakage in the 4-META group at both the occlusal and gingival margins.

Two mechanically mixed glass ionomer restorative materials (Ketac-Fil and Fuji Cap II) were compared with two manually mixed products (Chelon-Fil and Fuji Type II). One manually mixed material was substantially weaker than the others in bond strength tests. No significant differences in microleakage were found among the materials.

The bond strength and microleakage patterns of three light-curing glass-ionomer cement liners/bases (Vitrebond, XR Ionomer, and Zionomer) were evaluated and compared to a fluoride-releasing resin (TimeLine) designed for the same use. Bond strength tests were performed at 24 hours and 7 days. At 24 hours Vitrebond, Time-Line, and Zionomer had statistically significantly greater bond strengths than XR Ionomer. At 7 days, Vitrebond had a statistically significantly stronger bond than the others. Microleakage was evaluated after 24 hours of thermocycling. Vitrebond and XR Ionomer had statistically significantly less leakage than the others, while TimeLine had significantly more leakage than the others. Polymerization contraction gaps between the liners/bases and dentin were examined with scanning electron microscopy. Contraction gaps were approximately 10 microns with Vitrebond and XR Ionomer and 5 microns with TimeLine. A contraction gap generally was not observed with Zionomer.

This study evaluated the ability of five interim endodontic restorative materials to resist microleakage. Sixty extracted human molars were prepared for initial endodontic therapy via occlusal access preparations. After removal of the pulpal tissue, a cotton pellet was placed in the pulp chamber. The access preparations were sealed with one of the following materials or combinations: TERM, Cavit, IRM, Ketac-Silver, or a IRM-Cavit "sandwich" restoration. The specimens were thermocycled for 24 hours (800 cycles), immersed in methylene blue dye for 4 hours, sectioned, and evaluated under a microscope for microleakage. TERM, Cavit, and the IRM-Cavit "sandwich" had virtually no microleakage, while Ketac-Silver and IRM exhibited gross microleakage.

A fluoride-containing sealant (FluroShield) was evaluated in vitro and compared to a sealant without fluoride (Helio-Seal). Both materials were applied to the occlusal surface of extracted teeth and microscopically evaluated for their ability to penetrate pits and fissures. Additional specimens were subjected to dye immersion and evaluated for resistance to microleakage. Disc-shaped samples of the fluoride-containing sealant were immersed in distilled water and analyzed daily for seven days for fluoride release. All specimens of FluroShield released fluoride during the evaluation period, but there were differences between the materials in resistance to microleakage.

All dental restoratives exhibit some microleakage. Recent studies disclosed that oxalate salts were superior to Copalite varnish in reducing dentinal permeability, but inferior in reducing microleakage. This study compared the effectiveness of a potassium oxalate solution (DDS) with three other cavity liners (Copalite, Cavi-Line, Prisma Universal Bond) and a no-liner control in reducing microleakage under amalgam restorations. Under the conditions of this study, DDS solution was significantly effective in reducing microleakage under amalgam restorations.

A new resin dentin adhesive consisting of a primer (phosphonate dimethacrylate) and bonding agent (phosphonated BIS-GMA) was evaluated with bond strength tests, marginal microleakage studies, and SEM examination. The mean bond strength to dentin was 15.6 +/- 3.7 MPa. Microleakage studies found no marginal leakage at the enamel cavosurface margin and very minimal microleakage at the dentin/cementum margins. SEM examination showed that the primer was very effective in modifying the smear layer.