On the effect of an internal light conductor on the marginal integrity of class-II composite fillings.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine the marginal behavior of class-II double surface fillings made with newly designed light transmitting inserts. These inserts guide the polymerization light directly into the body of the filling.


METHODS
Sixty standardized two-surface cavities have been prepared into freshly extracted human molars and filled with Herculite XRV. Fifteen cavities were filled using the incremental technique (positive control group), 15 were filled with one single increment (negative control group) and 15 teeth each were filled with light conducting inserts with and without use of the light conducting system. Before and after thermomechanical stressing in a chewing simulator (50,000x50N and 2000 cycles between 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C), the amount of perfect margin was measured by quantitative margin analysis using a SEM. Additionally, following dye penetration (24h, 0.1% methylene blue), all teeth were cut in the mesio-distal direction and the amount of penetration was measured.


RESULTS
The group with light transmitting inserts showed 79.8% perfect margin, the positive control group 68.0%, the group with inactive inserts 65.4% and the negative control group 57.8%. MANOVA showed a strong effect (p<0.001) on the parameters group and thermocycling. The results from dye penetration were similar.


CONCLUSIONS
Light conducting inserts seem to have a positive effect on the marginal integrity of class-II composite fillings. Results show that this effect is produced by the internal light conductor and not volumetric effect alone.
Stoll
Richard
R
Department of Operative Dentistry, Philipps-University of Marburg, Dental School (MZ für ZMK), Georg Voigt Str. 3, 35033 Marburg, Germany. stoll@mailer.uni-marburg.de
Gente
Michael
M
Palichleb
Mario
M
Stachniss
Vitus
V
D000134:Acid Etching, Dental; D001732:Bite Force; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000145:classification; D003763:Dental Leakage / Q000145:classification; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000145:classification*; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008029:Lighting / Q000295:instrumentation; D008422:Materials Testing; D008751:Methylene Blue; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008963:Molar; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000295:instrumentation; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature
D004396:Coloring Agents; D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents; D011108:Polymers; D019279:Resin Cements; C078484:Syntac dentine adhesive; C065770:Herculite XR; D008751:Methylene Blue