Aim: The aim of the current study was to determine the effect of Er, Cr:YSGG laser surface treatment on enamel and dentin compared to conventional acid etching on the marginal integrity of resin composite.
Materials and Methods: Sixty-four sound human permanent molars were used in this study. Teeth were randomly divided into 4 groups, 16 each, according to the type of surface treatment used. Group (A) Universal Adhesive on enamel and dentin (etch & rinse strategy), group (B) Laser surface treatment on enamel & dentin, group (C) Laser surface treatment and etching on enamel and dentin and group (D) selective etch on enamel and Laser on dentin. In all groups the cavities were then restored with resin composite. All groups were further divided into two subgroups; the specimens of the first subgroup for immediate evaluation after 24 hours and second subgroup were subjected to 10000 thermal cycles between 5-55°C proposed to represent approximately 1 year in-vivo. Teeth were sectioned longitudinally in a buccolingual direction and observed under a stereomicroscope to determine microleakage.
Results: The results showed that there was no statistical significance obtained in both immediate groups (p-value =0.78) and thermocycle groups (p-value =0.24). Multiple comparisons cannot be performed because the overall test does not show significant difference across samples.
Conclusion: No significant difference in the effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser surface treatment on enamel & dentin compared to conventional acid etching on marginal integrity of resin composite