an evaluation of microleakage of posterior composites

polymerization contraction may produce defects in the composite - tooth bond. this may lead to bond failure and microleakage. the aim of this study was to reduce microleakage of posterior composites using different methods. 45 molar and premolars extracted teeth were choosen. the cavities were randomly assigned into 5 groups of 9. box-shaped cavities were prepared on each side of proximal surfaces and restored by five different methods. group 1 was filled by a light-cured composite and dentin bonding agents (dbas) with light curing from the occlusal area. group 2 was filled by a light-cured {lc} composite and dba, in addition the angle between the light source and occlusal area was 45 degree. after conditioning of teeth in-group 3, lc glass ionomer was placed on the gingival floor and then filled by a light-cured composite and dba. in group 4, after conditioning, the teeth were lined by a lc glass ionomer and then self-cured composite was placed on gingival floor. this group was filled with lc composite. in group 5 dba was used followed by placing a self-curing composite on gingival floor and filled by lc composite. the teeth were subjected to 500 thermocycling (5°c and 55°c with dowel time 30 s) and stored in 0.5% basic fushin for 24 hours. dye penetration was evaluated by light microscope. the results were tested by kruskat-wallis one-way analysis of variance by rank. the comparison between treatment groups showed highly significant difference {p<0.0001). no significant difference was found between groups 3 versus 4 and groups 1,2,5 versus 3,4. group 3 showed the least microleakage score. therefore least microleakage was obtained by the group which used l c glass ionomer and dba followed by filling a composite.