Effect of cavity disinfectants on the sealing ability of nonrinsing dentin-bonding resins

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of three cavity disinfectants (chlorhexidine gluconate-based, Consepsis; benzalkonium chlorite-based, Tubulicid red; iodine-potassium iodide/ copper sulphate-based, Ora-5) on the microleakage of nonrinsing dentin-bonding systems, Clearfil SE Bond and Prompt L-Pop. Method and materials: Class V cavity preparations were placed on the buccal and lingual surfaces of extracted molars with occlusal margins at the enamel and gingival margins in cementum. In the experimental groups, cavities were treated with combinations of one of the three cavity disinfectants with either Clearfil SE Bond or Prompt L-Pop. The preparations without disinfectant application were used as the negative controls for each adhesive system, and the cavities in which neither disinfectant nor dentin-bonding resin were applied, served as the positive controls. After the cavity preparations were restored with resin composite, specimens were thermocycled, stained, and sectioned to evaluate dye penetration. The tooth-resin composite interface of the sectioned specimens was examined under scanning electron microscopy. Results: Consepsis and Tubulicid red did not significantly affect the sealing ability of Clearfil SE Bond and Prompt L-Pop. Ora-5 exhibited gap formations at the tooth-resin composite interface and produced significantly higher microleakage when used with these bonding systems. Conclusion: Consepsis and Tubulicid red can be used as cavity disinfectants with Clearfil SE Bond and Prompt L-Pop without affecting their sealing abilities. However, Ora-5 is not an appropriate disinfectant to use with these bonding systems.