Impact of Five Cleansing Agents on Microleakage in Class V Restorations: A Comparative In Vitro Study

<b>Introduction:</b> Microleakage, caused by the failure of restorative materials to bond effectively to dental hard tissues, is a major concern in restorative dentistry. Proper treatment of dental tissues before adhesive procedures is a critical step in ensuring successful bonding. The retention of dental resin materials can be significantly improved by pretreating enamel surfaces with specific inorganic acids or chelators. This study aims to evaluate and compare the effects of five different cleanser agents on the microleakage of resin composite and glass ionomer (GI) class V restorative materials applied to enamel, dentin, and cementum. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Seventy-two extracted, noncarious third molars had Class V cavities prepared on the buccal and lingual surfaces and were divided into six groups: Control, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)/benzalkonium chloride, EDTA + sodium fluoride, chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite, and aloe vera. Cleansing agents were applied for 1 min, then rinsed and gently air-dried before restoration. Buccal cavities were restored with resin composite, and lingual cavities were restored with GI cement. The obtained data were collected and statistically analyzed, with two specimens per group examined for bond quality by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). <b>Results:</b> The results showed a significant difference in microleakage between the occlusal and cervical margins (<i>p</i> < 0.001). At the occlusal margin, the NaOCl-treated enamel group (enamel GI glass; EGIC) had the least microleakage (<i>p</i> < 0.05), while the EDTA group had the highest values. <b>Conclusion:</b> Based on the results reported in this study, none of the cavity disinfectants in the experimental groups completely prevented microleakage. All specimens showed greater microleakage along the cervical margin than along the occlusal margin. Among the disinfectants tested, sodium hypochlorite had the lowest microleakage levels.