INFLUENCE OF MARGINAL OPENING ON MICROLEAKAGE OF CEMENTED ARTIFICIAL CROWNS

This study investigated the relationship between marginal opening and microleakage. Standardized preparations were made on intact human prem olars, and copings were cast in a base metal alloy by use of conventio nal techniques. The castings were randomly assigned to the following l uting agent groups: zinc phosphate cement, polycarboxylate cement, gla ss ionomer cement, phosphate ester composite resin, and a composite re sin with a NPG-GMA dentinal bonding agent and were cemented in a stand ardized manner. The marginal openings between teeth and castings were measured, and microleakage was determined at the same points. Within t he confines of the in vitro model used, no significant correlation bet ween marginal opening and microleakage was established for either pool ed data or individual luting agent groups.