During a composite resin restoration, an anticipating contraction gap is usually tried to seal with low-viscosity resin after successive polishing, etching, rinsing and drying steps, which as a whole is called rebonding procedure. However, the gap might already have been filled with water or debris before applying the sealing resin. We hypothesized that microleakage would decrease if the rebonding agent was applied before the polishing step, i.e., immediately after curing composite resin. On the buccal and lingual surfaces of 35 extracted human molar teeth, class V cavities were prepared withthe occlusal margin in enamel and the gingival margin in dentin. They were restored with a hybrid composite resin Z250 (3M ESPE, USA) using an adhesive AdperTM Single Bond 2 (3M ESPE). As rebonding agents, BisCover LV (Bisco, USA), ScotchBond Multi-Purpose adhesive (3M ESPE) and an experimental adhesive were applied on the restoration margins before polishing step or after successive polishing and etching steps. The infiltration depth of 2% methylene blue into the margin was measured using an optical stereomicroscope. The correlation between viscosity of rebonding agents and mciroleakage was also evaluated. There were no statistically significant differences in the microleakage within the rebonding procedures, within the rebonding agents, and within the margins. However, when the restorations were not rebonded, the microleakage at gingival margin was significantly higher than those groups rebonded with 3 agents (p < 0.05). The difference was not observed at the occlusal margin. No significant correlation was found between viscosity of rebonding agents and microleakage, except very weak correlation in case of rebonding after polishing and etching at gingival margin (r = -0.326, p = 0.041).

The purpose of this study was to compare the microleakage of low and high viscosity flowable resins in class V cavities applied with 1-step adhesives.

Forty class V cavities were prepared on the cervices of buccal and lingual surfaces of extracted molar teeth and divided into four groups (n=8). Cavities were restored with AQ Bond Plus/Metafil Flo α, G-Bond/UniFil LoFlo Plus (Low flow groups), AQ Bond Plus/Metafil Flo and G-Bond/UniFil Flow (High flow group), respectively.

Specimens were immersed in a 2% methylene blue solution for 24 hours, and bisected longitudinally. They were observed microleakages at the enamel and dentinal margins.

In conclusion, the low viscosity flowable resins showed lower marginal microleakage than do the high viscosity flowable resins in class V cavities.

We evaluated in vitro microleakage of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) powder with 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META) / methyl methacrylate (MMA) & tri-n-butylborane (TBB) resin as a retrograde filling material by using methylene blue dye method.

Fifty-two single rooted, extracted teeth were instrumented and obturated with gutta percha and AH plus sealer. The apical 3mm of each root was resected and 3mm deep ultrasonic root end preparation was done. External surface of roots was coated with nail varnish. Prepared teeth were randomly divided into five groups; Negative control: completely covered with nail varnish; Positive control: coated with nail varnish except for apical foramen; Group 1 (retrofilled with Portland cement); Group 2 (retrofilled with MTA); Group 3 (retrofilled with MTA powder mixed with 4-META/MMA & TBB resin). Immediately after completion of root-end filling, all specimens were submerged in methylene blue dye for 72 hours in 37℃ incubator. The roots were longitudinally sectioned and measured for extent of dye penetration by three different examiners under microscope (×10). The results were statistically analyzed using one way ANOVA and Turkey's HSD test. No leakage was evident in negative control and complete leakage in positive control group. Group 3 showed significantly less leakage than group 1 and 2 (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between group 1 and 2 (p > 0.01).

It was concluded that MTA powder with 4-META/MMA & TBB resin was excellent in reducing initial apical microleakage.

This study was done to determine if there is any difference in microleakage between experimental composite resins, in which various proportions of three component photoinitiators (Camphoroquinone, OPPI, Amine) were included.

Four kinds of experimental composite resin were made by mixing 3.2% silanated barium glass (78 wt.%, average size; 1 µm) with each monomer system including variously proportioned photoinitiator systems used for photoinitiating BisGMA/BisEMA/TEGDMA monomer blend (37.5:37.5:25 wt.%). The weight percentage of each component were as follows (in sequence Camphoroquinone, OPPI, Amine): Group A - 0.5%, 0%, 1% / Group B - 2%, 0.2%, 2% / Group C - 0.2%, 1%, 0.2% / Group D - 1%, 1%, 2%.

Each composite resin was used as a filling material for round class V cavities (diameter: 2/3 of mesiodistal width; depth: 1.5 mm) made on extracted human premolars and they were polymerized using curing light unit (XL 2500, 3M ESPE) for 40 s with an intensity of 600 mW/cm². Teeth were thermocycled five-hundred times between 50℃ and 550℃ for 30s at each temperature.

Electrical conductivity (µA) was recorded two times (just after thermocycling and after three-month storage in saline solution) by electrochemical method.

Microleakage scores of each group according to evaluation time were as follows [Group: at first record / at second record; unit (µA)]: A: 3.80 (0.69) / 13.22 (4.48), B: 3.42 (1.33) / 18.84 (5.53), C: 4.18 (2.55) / 28.08 (7.75), D: 4.12 (1.86) / 7.41 (3.41).

Just after thermocycling, there was no difference in microleakage between groups, however, group C showed the largest score after three-month storage. Although there seems to be no difference in microleakage between groups just after thermocycling, composite resin with highly concentrated initiation system or classical design (Camphoroquinone and Amine system) would be more desirable for minimizing microleakage after three-month storage.

The purpose of this study was to compare the apical microleakage in root canal filled with Resilon by methacrylate-based root canal sealer or 2 different self-adhesive resin cements. Seventy single-rooted extracted human teeth were sectioned at the CEJ perpendicular to the long axis of the roots with diamond disk. Canal preparation was performed with crown-down technique using Profile NiTi rotary instruments and GG drill. Each canal was prepared to ISO size 40, .04 taper and 1 mm short from the apex. The prepared roots were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups of 15 roots each and 5 roots each for positive and negative control group. The root canals were filled by lateral condensation as follows. Group 1: Guttapercha with AH-26, Group 2: Resilon with RealSeal primer & sealer, Group 3: Resilon with Rely-X Unicem, Group 4: Resilon with BisCem. After stored in 37℃, 100% humidity chamber for 7 days, the roots were coated with 2 layers of nail varnish except apical 3 mm. The roots were then immersed in 1% methylene blue dye for 7 days. Apical microleakage was measured by a maximum length of linear dye penetration after roots were separated longitudinally. One way ANOVA and Scheffe's post-hoc test were performed for statistical analysis. Group 1 showed the least apical leakage and there was no statistical significance between Group 2, 3, 4. According to the results, the self adhesive resin cement is possible to use as sealer instead of primer & sealant when root canal filled by Resilon.

The purpose of this study was to compare the sealing abilities of four endodontic temporary restorative materials using a methylene blue dye penetration test under dynamic loading. Standardized access cavities were prepared in forty-four intact human permanent molar teeth, and the cavities were restored with Caviton, MD-Temp, IRM, or ZOE. After thermocycling, an intermittent load of 98 N at 1 Hz was applied for 1,000 cycles to the long axis of the functional cusp of each of the teeth, which were immersed in a 1% methylene blue solution. The teeth were split in half, and the linear depth of dye penetration was evaluated according to the criteria. The results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA (p = 0.05) and Duncan's multiple range test. The results demonstrated that Caviton and MD-Temp showed significantly lower microleakage than IRM and ZOE. It was concluded that Caviton and MD-Temp exhibited better sealing ability than IRM and ZOE under dynamic loading.

The purpose of this study was to compare the apical microleakage in root canal filled with Resilon by several self-etching primers and methacrylate-based root canal sealer. Seventy single-rooted human teeth were used in this study. The canals were instrumented by a crown-down manner with Gate-Glidden drills and .04 Taper Profile to ISO #40. The teeth were randomly divided into four experimental groups of 15 teeth each according to root canal filling material and self-etching primers and two control groups (positive and negative) of 5 teeth each as follows: group 1 - gutta percha and AH26® sealer; group 2 - Resilon, RealSeal™ primer and RealSeal™ sealer; group 3 - Resilon, Clearfil SE Bond® primer and RealSeal™ sealer group 4 - Resilon, AdheSe® primer and RealSeal™ sealer. Apical leakage was measured by a maximum length of linear dye penetration of roots sectioned longitudinally by diamond disk. Statistical analysis was performed using the One-way ANOVA followed by Scheffe's test. There were no statistical differences in the mean apical dye penetration among the groups 2, 3 and 4 of self-etching primers. And group 1, 2 and 3 had also no statistical difference in apical dye penetration. But, there was statistical difference between group 1 and 4 (p < 0.05). The group 1 showed the least dye penetration. According to the results of this study, Resilon with self-etching primer was not sealed root canal better than gutta precha with AH26® at sealing root canals. And there was no significant difference in apical leakage among the three self-etching primers.

The purpose of this study was to measure the polymerization shrinkage and hygroscopic expansion of resin-based temporary filling materials and to evaluate microleakage at the interface between the materials and cavity wall.

Five resin-based temporary filing materials were investigated: Fermit (Vivadent), Quicks (Dentkist), Provifil (Promedica), Spacer (Vericom), Clip (Voco). Caviton (GC) was also included for comparison. Polymerization shrinkage of five resin-based temporary filling materials was measured using the bonded disc method. For the measurement of hygroscopic expansion, the discs of six cured temporary filling materials were immersed in saline and a LVDT displacement sensor was used to measure the expansion for 7 days. For estimating of microleakage, Class I cavities were prepared on 120 extracted human molars and randomly assigned to 6 groups of 20 each. The cavities in each group were filled with six temporary filling materials. All specimens were submitted to 1000 thermo-cycles, with temperature varying from 5℃/55℃. Microleakage was determined using a dye penetration test.

The results were as follows:

Fermit had significantly less polymerization shrinkage than the other resin-based temporary filling materials. Fermit (0.22 %) < Spacer (0.38 %) < Quicks (0.64 %), Provifil (0.67 %), Clip (0.67 %)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a new resin monomer on the microleakage of composite resin restorations. By adding new methoxylated Bis-GMA (Bis-M-GMA, 2,2-bis[4-(2-methoxy-3-methacryloyloxy propoxy) phenyl] propane) having low viscosity, the content of TEGDMA which has adverse effects on polymerization shrinkage might be decreased. As a result, microleakage might be improved.

2 mm × 2 mm × 2 mm cavities with occlusal margins in enamel and gingival margins in dentin were prepared on buccal and lingual surfaces of 40 extracted human premolars. Prepared teeth were randomly divided into four groups and restored with Clearfil SE bond (Kuraray, Japan) and one of experimental composite resins; EX1, Experimental composite resin1 (Bis-M-GMA/TEGDMA = 95/5 wt%, 40 nm nanofillers); EX2, Experimental composite resin2 (Bis-M-GMA/TEGDMA = 95/5 wt%, 20 nm nanofillers); EX3, Experimental composite resin3 (Bis-GMA/TEGDMA = 70/30 wt%, 40 nm nanofillers); and Filtek Z250 (3M ESPE, USA) was filled as a control group. The restored teeth were thermocycled, and immersed in 2% methylene blue solution for 24 hours. The teeth were sectioned buccolingually with a low speed diamond saw and evaluated for microleakage under stereomicroscope. The data were statistically analyzed by Pearson Chi-Square test and Fisher Exact test (p = 0.05).

The microleakage scores seen at the enamel margin were significantly lower than those of dentin margin (p = 0.007). There were no significant differences among the composite resins in the microleakage scores within each margin (p > 0.05). Bis-M-GMA, a new resin monomer having low viscosity, might in part replace high viscous Bis-GMA and might improve the quality of composite resin.

The purpose of this study was to compare the marginal microleakage of different 2-step adhesive systems in Class V cavities prepared with different diamond points.

Forty Class V cavities were prepared with two different (coarse or fine) diamond points on cervical third of extracted molars. The occlusal and gingival margin of cavities was located in enamel and dentin, respectively. They were divided into one of four equal groups (n = 10) and ; Group 1-prepared with coarse diamond point (EX-41), restored with Single Bond and Z 250, Group 2-prepared with fine diamond piont (TF-21F), restored with Single Bond and Z 250, Group 3-prepared with coarse diamond point (EX-41), restored with Clearfil SE Bond and Clearfil AP-X, Group 4-prepared with fine diamond point (TF-21F), restored with Clearfil SE Bond and Clearfil AP-X.

Specimens were thermocycled, immersed in a 2% methylene blue solution for 24 hours, and bisected longitudinally. They were observed leakages at enamel and dentinal margins. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon signed ranked test.

In this study, marginal microleakage of Single Bond was not affected by type of diamond points. But Clearfil SE Bond showed higher marginal microleakage at both enamel and dentinal margin when Class V cavity was prepared with coarse diamond point.

Present tooth bonding system can be categorized into total etching bonding system (TE) and self-etching boding system (SE) based on their way of smear layer treatment. The purposes of this study were to compare the effectiveness between these two systems and to evaluate the effect of number of themocycling on microleakage of class V composite resin restorations.

Total forty class V cavities were prepared on the single-rooted bovine teeth and were randomly divided into four experimental groups: two kinds of bonding system and another two kinds of thermocycling groups. Half of the cavities were filled with Z250 follwing the use of TE system, Single Bond and another twenty cavities were filled with Metafil and AQ Bond, SE system. All composite restoratives were cured using light curing unit (XL2500, 3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) for 40 seconds with a light intensity of 600 mW/cm².

Teeth were stored in distilled water for one day at room temperature and were finished and polished with Sof-Lex system. Half of teeth were thermocycled 500 times and the other half were thermocycled 5,000 times between 5℃ and 55℃ for 30 second at each temperature.

Teeth were isolated with two layers of nail varnish except the restoration surface and 1 mm surrounding margins. Electrical conductivity (µA) was recorded in distilled water by electrochemical method. Microleakage scores were compared and analyzed using two-way ANOVA at 95% level.

From this study, following results were obtained: There was no interaction between variables of bonding system and number of thermocycling (p = 0.485). Microleakage was not affected by the number of thermocycling either (p = 0.814). However, Composite restoration of Metafil and AQ Bond, SE bond system showed less microleakage than composite restoration of Z250 and Single Bond, TE bond system (p = 0.005).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of burs on microleakage of Class V resin restorations when a self-etching primer adhesive was used.

Forty Class V cavities were prepared with four different cutting burs on extracted third molars, and divided into one of four equal groups (n = 10); Group 1-plain cut carbide bur (no. 245), Group 2-cross cut carbide bur (no. 557), Group 3-fine diamond bur (TF-21F), Group 4-standard diamond bur (EX-41).

The occlusal and gingival margin of cavities was located in enamel and dentin, respectively. Cavities were treated with Clearfil SE Bond and restored with Clearfil AP-X. Specimens were thermocycled, immersed in a 2% methylene blue solution for 24 hours, and bisected longitudinally. They were observed leakages at enamel and dentinal margins. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon signed ranked test.

The results of this study were as follows;

1. At enamel margin, microleakage of group 4 was statistically higher than those of group 1, 2 and 3 (p < 0.01).

2. At dentinal margin, microleakage of group 4 was statistically higher than group 3 (p < 0.01), but group 1 and 2 were not statistically different with group 3 and 4.

3. Enamel microleakage was statistically higher than dentinal microleakage in group 1, 2 and 3 (p < 0.05), but statistical difference between the microleakage of enamel and dentinal margin was not in group 4.

In conclusion, the use of coarse diamond bur showed high microleakage at both enamel and dentinal margin when Clearfil SE Bond was used in class V cavity.

Competition will usually develop between the opposing walls as the restorative resin shrinks during polymerization. Magnitude of this phenomenon may be depended upon cavity configuration and volume.

The purpose of this sturdy was to evaluate the effect of cavity configuration and volume on microleakage of composite resin restoration that has margins on the enamel site only.

The labial enamel of forty bovine teeth was ground using a model trimmer to expose a flat enamel surface. Four groups with cylindrical cavities were defined, according to volume and configuration factor (Depth × Diameter / C-factor) - Group I: 1.5 mm × 2.0 mm / 4.0, Group II: 1.5 mm × 6.0 mm / 2.0, Group III: 2.0 mm × 1.72 mm / 5.62, Group IV: 2.0 mm × 5.23 mm / 2.54.

After treating with fifth-generation one-bottle adhesive - BC Plus™ (Vericom, AnYang, Korea), cavities were bulk filled with microhybrid composite resin - Denfill™ (Vericom). Teeth were stored in distilled water for one day at room temperature and were finished and polished with Sof-Lex system. Specimens were thermocycled 500 times between 5℃ and 55℃ for 30 second at each temperature.

Teeth were isolated with two layers of nail varnish except the restoration surface and 1 mm surrounding margins. Electrical conductivity (µA) was recorded in distilled water by electrochemical method. Microleakage scores were compared and analyzed using two-way ANOVA at 95% level.

The results were as follows:

1. Small cavity volume showed lower microleakage score than large one, however, there was no statistically significant difference.

2. There was no relationship between cavity configuration and microleakage.

Factors of cavity configuration and volume did not affect on microleakage of resin restorations with enamel margins only.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the relation between techniques used for microleakage from dye penetration and for marginal adaptation from SEM evaluation of the restoration.

Using high speed #330 bur, class V cavities (4 × 3 × 1.5 mm around CEJ) were prepared on the buccal surface of 20 extracted human molars. Six dimples as reference points for SEM and dye penetration evaluation were made with 1/2 round bur. Cavity was bulk filled with microhybrid composite resin (Esthet X) and all-in-one adhesive (Xeno III). Teeth were stored in saline solution for one day, after then, they were finished and polished using Sof-Lex system.

Fifty percent silver nitrate dye solution was used for the evaluation of microleakage and resin replica was used for marginal adaptation. All of these were done after 1000 times thermocycling between 5 and 55℃.

Vertical sections were made through three dimples of restoration to obtain samples for the evaluation of dye penetration and inner marginal adaptation. Outer adaptational estimation was done with an intact restoration before sectioning. Dye penetration was determined in three degrees and percentage of outer and inner leaky margin was estimated from SEM image.

The data were analysed statistically: Spearman's rho test were used to check relationships between two methods.

The result were as follows:

There were significant relationships between degree of dye penetration and inner and outer marginal adaptations each (p < 0.01).

Within the results of this study, relationship between the percentage of marginal adaptation and microleakage shows significant relationship. However, inner and outer marginal adaptation did not show any significant relationship mutually.

The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of three resin surface sealants to prevent microleakage in Class V composite resin restorations. Forty Class V cavities with the occlusal margin in enamel and gingival margin in dentin were prepared on the buccal surfaces of sound extracted molars, and restored with composite resin. Restorations were randomly assigned into one of four equal groups (n = 10): a control group, without resin sealing, and three experimental groups in which margins were sealed with Fortify Plus, Biscover and Permaseal, respectively. Specimens were thermocycled, immersed in a 2% methylene blue solution for 4 hours, sectioned longitudinally, and observed the leakage at the occlusal and gingival margins. The result was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon signed rank test.

In conclusion, the ability to reduce microleakage at occlusal margins was similar in all of three sealants. However at gingival margin, it depended on the type of used resin surface sealant. At gingival margin, control and Fortify Plus group showed statistically higher microleakage than PermaSeal group, and Fortify Plus group also showed higher microleakage than BisCover group (p < 0.05).

This study investigated the effect of thickness of flowable resin lining on marginal leakage in class II composite restorations. 80 experimental teeth were prepared with class II preparations with enamel margin or dentin margin. Each group was devided into four groups according to flowable resin lining thickness ; Control group - no flowable resin lining, Group 1 - 0.5 mm flowable resin lining, Group 2 - 1 mm flowable resin lining, Group 3 - 2 mm flowable resin lining. The cavities were restored using Scotchbond Multi-Purpose adhesive system, Filtek Flow and Filtek Z 250 composite resin.

Following one day storage in distilled water, the restored teeth were thermocycled for 500 cycles and immersed in 2% methylene blue for 24 hours.

The results of this study were as follows:

1. Ranking of mean microleakage scores at the enamel margins was Group 1 < Control = Group 2 < Group 3. The microleakage of Group 3 was significantly higher than that of Control, Group 1 and Group 2 (p < 0.05).

2. Ranking of mean microleakage scores at the dentin margins was Group 1 < Group 2 < Control < Group 3. The microleakage of Group 3 was significantly higher than that of Control, Group 1 (p < 0.05).

3. Compared with microleakage between the enamel and dentin margins, enamel margin group were significantly lower than dentin margin group.

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.

This study was done to evaluate whether there were any differences in microleakage of class V composite restorations according to restoration site and cavity size.

Total sixty-four restorations were made in molar teeth using Esthet-X. Small (2 × 2 × 1.5 mm) and large (4 × 2 × 1.5 mm) restorations were made at the buccal/lingual surface and the proximal surface each. After 1,000 times of thermocycling (5℃ - 55℃), resin replica was made and the percentage of marginal gap to the whole periphery of the restoration was estimated from SEM evaluation.

Thermocycled tooth was dye penetrated with 50% silver nitrate solution. After imbedding in an auto-curing resin, it was serially ground with a thickness of 0.25 mm. Volumetric microleakage was estimated after reconstructing three dimensionally.

Two-way ANOVA and independent T-test for dye volume, Mann-Whitney U test for the percentage of marginal gap, Spearman's rho test for the relationship between two techniques were used.

The results were as follows:

1. The site and size of the restoration affected on the microleakage of restoration. Namely, much more leakage was seen in the proximal and the large restorations rather than the buccal/lingual and the small restorations.

2. Close relationship was found between two techniques (Correlation coefficient = 0.614 / P = 0.000).

Within the limits of this study, it was noted that proximal and the large restorations leaked more than buccal/lingual and the small restorations. Therefore, it should be strictly recommended large exposure of margins should be avoided by reducing unnecessary tooth reduction.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of surface sealing materials on microleakage and surface roughness in Class V composite restorations.

Twenty five standardized Class V cavity preparations were made on the facial surface of human premolars and were randomly assigned to 5 groups. The teeth were restored with Z-250 after applying Single Bond. Following 7 days storage in distilled water at 37℃, the restorations were sealed as following systems : No sealing ; Single Bond Adhesive ; Biscover ; Fortify ; Optiguard. Then, toothbrush abrasion test was conducted using a wear testing machine.

Surface roughness was measured by means of profilometer before and after toothbrushing and the results were statistically analysed by using a paired t-test and ANOVA. The bonded interfaces and the changes of surface roughness were examined by SEM.

For microleakage test, specimens were stained in a 2% methylene blue solution, then longitudinally sectioned and analyzed for leakage at occlusal and cervical interfaces using stereomicroscope. The results were statistically analysed by using a Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test.

Surface roughness was increasing in all groups after toothbrushing, but no statistically significant differences. In SEM observation, surface sealant was partially retained and partially detached in bonded interfaces. Especially, microgap was identified in cervical margins. In microleakage test, there was better seal in the enamel region and a significant difference between groups at occlusal margin. Control group and Single Bond group had significantly better marginal seal at enamel margin than cervical margin.

The purpose of this study was to compare the sealing ability of root canal obturation with or without the use of dentin adhesive system. Forty extracted human teeth with one canal were selected and decoronated. The teeth were divided into two Groups. The obturation procedure of Group 1 was the same as that of Group 2 with the exception of dentin adhesive system. Group 2 were obturated with dentin adhesive system, AH-26, and gutta-percha.

After obturation, the teeth were immersed in methylene blue solution for 84 hours. The teeth were sectioned horizontally at 1.5 mm (Level 1), 2.0 mm (Level 2), 2.5 mm (Level 3) from the root apex using a low speed microtome. Distance of dye-penetrated surface and total dentinal surface were measured using SigmaScan Pro 5.0, and the ratio of dye-penetrated distance to the total dentinal distance was analyzed statistically by Mann-Whitney U-test.

In both groups, the mean leakage ratio was decreased cervically.

Established microleakage tests have their own disadvantages. In this study, 3D reconstruction method was tried to overcome these disadvantages.

Four types of microleakage tests were used and relationships among them were estimated: penetrated dye volume; marginal adaptability; degree of dye penetration and relative penetrated length to cavity wall.

Twenty-four Class V cavities were bulk filled with composite (Esthet X) following surface treatments: N group (no treatment); E group (etching only); T group (etching + Prime & Bond NT). 50% silver nitrate was used as a dye solution after thermocycling (5℃ & 55℃, 1,000 times). Teeth were serially ground with a thickness of 0.2 mm. Volume of dye penetration was estimated from a three-dimensionally reconstructed image with a software (3D-DOCTOR). Percentage of margin without gap was estimated from SEM and degree of dye penetration and the relative length of dye penetration to overall cavity wall were also estimated.

ANOVA and Scheffe test for dye volume, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney test for marginal quality, Spearman's rho test for checking of relationships among methods were used.

The results were as follows:

1. Dye penetration could be seen from several directions, furthermore, its volumetric estimation was possible.

2. Reverse relationship was found between dye volume and marginal quality (r = -0.881 / p = 0.004).

3. Very low relationship was seen between dye volume and two-dimensional tests (degree of dye penetration and relative length). However, 2D evaluation methods showed high relationship (p = 0.002-0.054) each other.

4. Three times vertical section could be recommended as a 2D test.