Microbial microleakage and pulpal inflammation: A review

The evidence relating microbial microleakage and pulpal inflammation is reviewed. In vitro experiments show that all current dental materials permit fluid microleakage at the material/cavity wall interface. in vivo , this fluid microleakage is accompanied by bacterial growth, unless the material has lasting antibacterial properties. An association does exist between the presence of bacteria at the material/cavity wall interface and the presence of pulpal inflammation. The role of the smear layer m minimizing the harmful effects of microbial microleakage and of chemical toxicity of restorative material is reviewed. Further research should be aimed at eliminating microleakage by the development of more fully adhesive materials or by improving their antibacterial properties.