610 the journal of prosthetic dentistry volume 81 number 5

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610 THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY
VOLUME 81 NUMBER 5
M
icroleakage is the movement of bacteria, fluids,
molecules or ions, and even air between the prepared
cavity wall and the subsequently applied restorative
materials.
1
Cervical lesions due to caries, erosion, or
abrasion often have both enamel and dentin or cemen-
tum margins. The longevity of a conventional Class V
restoration can be affected by mechanical, thermal, and
chemical factors that result in stress in the cervical
area.
2,3
Bonded composites have been the common choice
for the esthetic restoration of Class V lesions. Howev-
er, one disadvantage of composites is polymerization
shrinkage, which can result in marginal discrepancies
leading to microleakage, among other disadvantages.
4
This shrinkage has clinical repercussions such as sensi-
tivity, marginal discoloration, and secondary caries.
2,3
Many new bonding agents and glass ionomer
restorative materials have been introduced to bond
restorative materials to dentin and cementum margins
of cervical lesions,
5,6
but microleakage at the dentin
(cementum) aspects of restorations remains a problem
of clinical significance.
1,4,5
Glass ionomers are alterna-
Microleakage of Class V resin-modified glass ionomer and compomer
restorations
Manuel Toledano, MD, BDS, PhD,
a
Estrella Osorio, LDS, PhD,
b
Raquel Osorio, LDS, PhD,
c
and
Franklin García-Godoy, DDS, MS
d
University of Granada, Granada, Spain, and University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio,
San Antonio, Texas
Statement of problem. 
Resin-modified glass ionomers and polyacid-modified resin composites (com-
pomers) have been introduced to provide esthetic restorations. However, there is concern about the margin-
al sealing ability of these materials, especially at the dentin (cementum) aspects of restorations.
Purpose. 
This in vitro study evaluated the microleakage of Class V restorations made with resin-modified
glass ionomers or a compomer.