Chlorhexidine's effect on sealing ability of composite restorations following Er:YAG laser cavity preparation.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of chlorhexidine on microleakage of composite restorations in class V cavities prepared with a carbide bur (CB) and a erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Cavity preparations were created on the buccal surfaces of 48 bovine incisors using different methods then equally dividing them into four groups. Groups I and II were prepared with a #56 CB in a high speed handpiece while Groups III and IV were prepared with a Er:YAG laser at 350m J/4Hz on enamel and at 80.24 J/cm2 on dentin. The cavity preparations were rinsed with 2% chlorhexidine solution before the application of Clearfill SE Bond system and placement of a Z100 composite resin restoration. After 24 hours, the teeth were polished, thermocycled, and sealed with cosmetic varnish. The samples were then immersed in 2% methylene blue for four hours and sectioned in the buccolingual direction to determine the degree of microleakage.

RESULTS: After statistical analysis (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.05), no significant differences were verified among the tested groups and between the evaluated cervical or incisal margins of the restoration.

CONCLUSION: The use of the chlorhexidine did not interfere with the adhesion process regardless of whether a CB or the Er:YAG laser were used to prepare class V cavities when restored with the tested self-etching adhesive system.