INTRODUCTION: Although many restorative materials are available in the market, microleakage around dental restorative materials presents a major problem in clinical dentistry. Giomer (Beautifill II) represents a new generation of dental materials that combines the properties of glass ionomers and composites.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the marginal leakage in primary molars class II restored with Giomer and compare it to that of Compomer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four extracted sound primary molars (n=24) were selected for micro leakage test. Standardized class II cavities were prepared and the teeth were randomly assigned to two groups (n=12). Group I was restored with the Giomer (Beautiful II) and Group II was restored with Compomer (Dyract). Micro leakage test: Teeth were subjected to the process of thermocycling (5 ± 2°C–55 ± 2°C, dwell time 30 s, 1000×). Teeth surfaces were coated with three layers of nail polish except a 1 mm wide window surrounding the margins of the restorations. The restored teeth were immersed in 2% methylene blue solution, sectioned and examined under stereomicroscope. Data were collected, tabulated and statistically analyzed using Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test (p < 0.05).
RESULTS: Cervical microleakage scores were higher than occlusal microleakage scores with no significant difference in group I (Giomer) (p=0.915). In group II (Compomer) cervical microleakage scores were significantly higher than occlusal microleakage scores (p=0.033). Group I showed lower microleakage scores than group II and the difference was statistically nonsignificant at p value (0.155).
CONCLUSIONS: Although no significant difference was detected, Giomer restorative material showed lower microleakage scores than Compomer. Giomer restorative material could be considered a suitable class II restoration of primary molar in high caries risk children.