PREVALENCE AND DEPTH OF ARTIFICIAL CARIES-LIKE LESIONS ADJACENT TO CAVITIES PREPARED IN ROOTS AND RESTORED WITH A GLASS-IONOMER OR A DENTIN-BONDED COMPOSITE-MATERIAL

One potential advantage of glass-ionomer materials for the treatment o f root caries is their ability to release fluoride and so resist cario genic attack. A commercially available composite material has also bee n reported to release fluoride which reduced caries lesions in the too th tissue adjacent to it. The aim of this study was to assess the effe ctiveness of a conventional glass-ionomer restoration compared with a dentin-bonded, fluoride-releasing, composite restoration when exposed to a microbial artificial caries system. Artificial caries-like lesion s produced in relation to the restorations were examined and classifie d either as outer (surface) lesions or as wall. lesions. A split-unit experimental design allowed for within-tooth comparisons of the 2 expe rimental restorations at different sites on the root surface. These we re either totally within the root surface or positioned at the amelo-c emental junction. Outer lesion depths were significantly (p < 0.001) s hallower at all sites adjacent to the glass ionomer when compared with the composite restorations. Wall lesions were significantly (p < 0.01 ) more prevalent adjacent to the composite material. In addition, the cavity margin position significantly (p < 0.05) affected the incidence of wall lesions, particularly in the composite group. In conclusion, glass ionomer was successful in reducing the caries-like lesion produc tion in the adjacent root surface. This resulted from improved margina l integrity and fluoride release from this material when compared with the composite bonding system used.