COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF MICROLEAKAGE AND DIAMETRAL TENSILE STRENGTH OF VARIOUS RESTORATIVE MATERIALS - AN IN VITRO STUDY

Aim: To evaluate and compare microleakage and diametral tensile strength of various restorative materials. Materials & Method: For the evaluation of microleakage, Class V cavities were prepared on sixty human premolar teeth and restored according to five study groups (n = 15): Group I (Fuji ix), Group II (Zirconomer Improved), Group III (Glasionomer FX Ultra), Group IV (Positive Control) and Group V (Negative Control). The samples were thermocycled and subjected to dye penetration test. The sections were made and evaluated under stereomicroscope at × 40 magnification. For the Diametral Tensile strength evaluation, fourty five cylindrical specimens were fabricated measuring 5 mm × 6 mm and grouped into three study groups (n = 15): Group I (Fuji ix), Group II (Zirconomer Improved) and Group III (Glasionomer FX Ultra). Diametral Tensile Strength was evaluated using Universal Testing Machine. Statistical analysis used: The data were analyzed using TUKEYS and ANOVA. Results: For microleakage, all intergroup comparisions were significant except between Group A (Fuji IX) and Group C (Glasionomer FX Ultra), with Zirconomer Improved showing maximum followed by Fuji IX and Glasionomer FX Ultra. The Diametral Tensile strength was found to be highly significant (P < 0.01) except between Group B (Zirconomer Improved) and Group C (Glasionomer FX Ultra) with the maximum score for Zirconomer Improved followed by Glasionomer FX Ultra and Fuji IX. Conclusion: Glasionomer FX Ultra is recommended as a restorative material because of its comparable Diametral Tensile Strength to Zirconomer Improved and effective sealing ability.