Effect of polishing on the microleakage of two different restorative materials in primary teeth: An in vitro study

Aims and objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of polishing on the microleakage of silorane based Composite (Filtek Z350XT) and Resin modified GIC (Vitremer) restorations in primary teeth. The objectives were to compare the microleakage with and without polishing, and compare the same between the two materials. Materials and Methods: Class V cavities were prepared on 28 retained deciduous anterior teeth, after they were extracted. The prepared teeth were randomly divided into two groups and restored with the respective materials. The restored teeth were then divided into two subgroups (polished and not polished) of seven each. Finishing and polishing for the designated subgroup was done using the Shofu polishing kit. The teeth were then thermocycled and subjected to 1% methylene blue dye penetration, and sectioned buccolingually. Microleakage was evaluated by observing degree of dye penetration under a stereomicroscope, and data subjected to statistical analysis. Statistical analysis was done using Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The results showed that polishing decreased the microleakage in Composite restorations (P<0.05), not in Resin Modified GIC restorations (P>0.05). Intergroup comparison of the microleakage without polishing was not significant (P>0.05) while the intergroup comparison after polishing was significant (P<0.05), with polished composite showing comparatively less microleakage. Conclusions: The conclusions of the study were that unpolished restorations with both materials did not show any significant difference in the microleakage scores. Composite restorations, after polishing, showed significantly less microleakage in primary teeth, while with Resin Modified GIC restorations, there wasn't any difference in microleakage, with or without polishing.