Evaluation of Microleakage of Micro Hybrid Composite Resins versus Chitosan-Incorporated Composite Resins When Restored in Class V Cavities Using Total Etch and Self-Etch Adhesives: An In vitro Study

Aim: To evaluate the in-vitro microleakage of traditional micro hybrid composite resin and 0.2% chitosan-incorporated composite resin when restored in Class V cavities using total etch versus self-etch adhesives after storing in artificial saliva for 24 h. Materials and Methodology: Sixty permanent maxillary premolars collected and Class V cavities were prepared on buccal surface of each tooth (dimensions: mesio-distally 3 mm, occluso cervically 2 mm, and depth of 1.5 mm) and restored with Group 1: micro hybrid (30 teeth) and Group 2: chitosan-incorporated composite (30 teeth), which was further subdivided into: (a) 15 teeth using total-etch adhesives. (b) 15 teeth using self-etch adhesives. Next dye extraction test was carried out using spectrophotometer. Results: Comparison within groups: In Group 1: Self-etch demonstrated less microleakage (0.0129) compared with total etch (0.0183). The difference was statistically significant, and in Group 2: No statistically significant difference was found in mean microleakage scores after using either self-etch (0.0118) or total etch adhesives (0.0120). Conclusion: It can be concluded that chitosan-incorporated composite seems to have improved mechanical properties with a stable bond when used with either self-etch or total etch adhesives in addition to being antibacterial. It may be clinically useful in restoring Class V cavities in patients with high caries risk. However, further in vitro and in-vivo studies need to be carried out.