Assessing microleakage of class V resin composite restorations after Er:YAG laser and bur preparation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the extent of microleakage in cavities prepared with bur and Er:YAG laser, hybridized with different bonding systems. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty bovine teeth were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10): (G1) Diamond bur + Single Bond; (G2) Diamond bur + AdheSE; (G3) Diamond bur + Clearfil SE Bond; (G4) Er:YAG (250 mJ, 4 Hz, 80.6 J/cm(2)) + Single Bond; (G5)Er:YAG + AdheSE, and (G6) Er:YAG + Clearfil. Cavities were restored with a micro-hybrid composite resin. After thermocycling, the specimens were stained with 2% methylene blue solution and sectioned in the mesiodistal direction. Dye penetration was scored based upon the extent of the dye using a light stereoscope. RESULTS: The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney test revealed no statistically significant differences between the method of preparation (diamond bur and laser). However, statistical differences were found between the adhesives tested. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, Er:YAG laser confirmed to be as effective as the conventional methods for preparing adhesive restorations.