Marginal microleakage of alternative restorative treatment and conventional glass ionomer restorations in extracted primary molars.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the marginal leakage of cervical glass ionomer restorations made using alternative restorative treatment (ART) and conventional restoration techniques. METHODS: Twenty primary molars with Class V carious dentin on the buccal surfaces were prepared using ART, and a second set of 20 noncarious molars had Class V preparations made with a high-speed handpiece. The occlusal margin was located in enamel and the gingival margin in dentin/cementum. All teeth were restored with high-density glass ionomer cement (GIC; Fuji IXgp) according to manufacturers' instructions, thermally stressed for 300 cycles, and stained with methylene blue. Samples were sectioned and evaluated for microleakage. RESULTS: One-way analysis of variance revealed no statistically significant difference between leakage at margins of ART and conventional restorations. (P=.92) There was no significant difference between leakage at the enamel and dentin margins. CONCLUSIONS: Alternative restorative treatment with high-density glass ionomer cement provides enamel and dentin margins that show marginal leakage comparable to conventionally restored primary teeth. These results show the potential of ART in conjunction with high-density GIC in providing treatment for children and adolescents in situations where traditional cavity preparation and restoration is not possible.