Investigation of the effect of using cavity disinfectant on microleakage in composite restorations by micro-CT analysis

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the use of cavity disinfectant on the amount of microleakage seen in composite restorations. Materials and Methods: Forty caries-free permanent molars extracted due to periodontal or orthodontic problems were used in the study. Class II box cavities were prepared in the mesial and distal of teeth. Then, the teeth were divided into subgroups (n:10) according to the use of universal adhesive and cavity disinfectant. Chlorhexidine digluconate (2%) was used as a cavity disinfectant. In the prepared cavities, universal adhesives were used with total and self-etch modes and restored with posterior composite resin. After the restoration of the teeth was completed, 1000 thermal cycles were applied. Microleakage analysis was performed with a micro-computed tomography device after the teeth were soaked in silver nitrate solution for 24 hours. Two-way analysis of variance test was used in the analysis of microleakage data and Tukey test was used to show the differences between groups in multiple comparisons (p<0.05). Results: Application of universal adhesives to Class II cavities in self-etch mode caused more microleakage than total-etch mode (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the microleakage values of the universal adhesive (p>0.05). When universal adhesives are used with cavity disinfectants decreased the microleakage value in the self-etch mode (p<0.05), but it did not show a statistically significant decrease in the total etch mode. Conclusion: While the use of cavity disinfectant in teeth restored with composite resin reduces the amount of microleakage in the self-etch mode, the total etch mode does not affect the amount of microleakage.