ABSTRACT
When composite resin polymerizes, shrinkage stresses tend to produce gaps at the tooth/ restoration interfaces. Surface sealants may reduce or avoid problems related to the marginal interface. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two different surface sealants [Fortify and Optiguard] on the microleakag of class V resin composite restorations. Twenty three sound noncarious molars were collected. Totally, 45 Class V cavities wit the occlusal margins in enamel and cervical margins in cementum were prepared in both buccal and lingua surfaces. The specimens were randomly assigned in three groups [15 cavities in each group] and then restorec with a resin composite. After the finishing and polishing procedures, the restorations in each group were coverec with a specific surface sealant, except for the control samples, which were not sealed. After placing restorations the specimens were thermocycled and then immersed in a 50% silver nitrate solution [tracer agent] for four hours sectioned longitudinally and analyzed for leakage using a stereomicroscope in a blind manner. The margina microleakage was evaluated at the occlusal and cervical interfaces and compared among the three groups using the Kruskall-Wallis and the Mann-Whitney U tests. Microleakage was found in all groups at both occlusal and cervical margins. Significantly greater leakage was observed at the cervical margins compared to the enamel margins of the material groups [P=0.005]. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups at occlusal margins [P=0.66]. In the cervical region, Fortify showed improved results and statistically presented the lowest degree of microleakage [P=0.003]. The used sealant materials presented different rates of effectiveness and Fortify decreased marginal microleakage significantly