The purpose of this study was to compare the effect on marginal leakage of a resin surface sealant (Biscover) applied before or after polymerization of composite resin to unsealed composite restorations. Thirty Class V cavities with the occlusal margin in enamel and cervical margin in dentin or cementum were prepared on the buccal surfaces of sound extracted molars and restored with a microfilled light-cured composite resin (Micronew). Restorations were randomly assigned into one of three equal groups (n = 10): a control group - no surface sealing, group 1 - applied Biscover after polymerization of the composite resin, and group 2 - applied Biscover before polymerization of the composite resin. Specimens were thermocycled, immersed in a 2% methylene blue solution for 4 hours, sectioned longitudinally, and analyzed for leakage at the occlusal and gingival margins. The results of this study were as follows;

1. In sealed group, group 2 showed higher microleakage than group 1 at both occlusal and gingival margins, but there was no significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05).

2. Unsealed control group showed a little higher microleakage than sealed group at occlusal margins, and a little higher or similar microleakage than sealed group at gingival margins (p > 0.05).

3. Control group and group 2 showed significantly less microleakage at the occlusal margins, but group 1 showed no significantly difference between microleakage at the occlusal and gingival margins.