The effect of an erbium, chromium: yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet laser on the microleakage and bond strength of silorane and micro-hybrid composite restorations

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the microleakage and bond strength of Class V silorane-based and universal micro-hybrid composite restorations prepared either with diamond bur or with an erbium, chromium: yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er, Cr:YSGG) laser. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 160 molar teeth were used for microleakage assessment and shear bond strength (SBS) test. The specimens were prepared using either diamond bur or 3 W-, 4 W- and 5 W-20 Hz Er, Cr:YSGG laser irradiation. All specimens were subjected to thermocycling (500 times at 5 ± 2°C to 55 ± 2°C, dwell time 15 s and transfer time 10 s). Microleakage was assessed using a 0.5% basic-fuchsin solution. The bond strengths were determined using a microtensile tester at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The Kruskal Wallis test was used for the analysis of microleakage and a one-way analysis of variance test was used to analyze the SBS (P < 0.05). RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found (P > 0.05) between Er, Cr:YSGG laser and bur preparation methods regarding microleakage and bond strength values. CONCLUSION: Irradiation with Er, Cr:YSGG laser was confirmed to be as effective as conventional methods for preparing cavities before adhesive restorations.