Correlation between marginal adaptation of composite resin restorations and bacterial growth in cavities

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Abstract
The marginal adaptation of composite fillings was correlated to the bacterial growth in the cavities. Cavities (43) prepared in vivo on human 3rd molars were acid etched and filled with the composite resin Concise. After 4 mo. the teeth were extracted and examined for marginal leakage along the restorations. After histologic preparation, an average of 38 sections from each cavity were stained and investigated for bacteria on the cavity walls and in the exposed dentinal tubules. General marginal leakage was found in 14 of the restorations and bacterial growth in 12. For 35 of the 43 restorations there was an agreement between marginal leakage and bacterial growth (P = 0.0002). Bacteria in a cavity can be used as an indicator of marginal leakage along the restoration.