Sealing Ability of Three Different Surface Coating Materials on Conventional and Resin Modified Glass Ionomer Restoration in Primary Anterior Teeth: An In vitro Study

Introduction: Microleakage is an important property that has been used in assessing the success of any restorative material used in restoring a tooth. Immediate application of a surface coating agent is suggested to protect glass ionomer cement against moisture contamination and dehydration during early setting. Aim: To compare marginal microleakage of two different Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC)- Conventional GIC and Resin Modified GIC in primary anterior teeth using three surface coating materials. Materials and Methods: An in vitro study was conducted between January 2014 to October 2017 on freshly extracted 40 anterior primary teeth which were randomly assigned into two main groups (Fuji II GIC and Fuji II LC GIC) with four subgroups (control-no surface coating, A=GC Fují Varnish II, B=GC G-Coat Plus, C=Icon). A standardised Class V cavity preparation was prepared on the labial surface of each tooth. Specimens were coated with two layers of nail varnish, leaving a 1 mm window around the cavity margins and placed in a solution of Methylene blue Dye for 24 hour at 37°C. The teeth were sectioned longitudinally in a buccolingual direction of the restorations and evaluated under stereomicroscope to check extent of dye penetration. The results were analysed by ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test (p≤0.05). Results: It was found that maximum microleakage was seen in group 1 (Fuji II GIC) as compared to group 2 (Fuji II LC GIC) and it was non-significant (p=0.53). Ascending order for mean microleakage for Group 1 was as follows: Control >GC Fuji Varnish >Icon DMG >GC G-Coat and for Group 2: Control >GC Fuji Varnish >Icon DMG >GC G-Coat. Icon when compared with Gc coat and Varnish also showed non-significant (p=0.137) difference in Group 2. Conclusion: All three different surface coatings can seal glass ionomer restorations. The GC G-Coat Plus has the least microleakage on Resin-Modified GIC (RMGIC) compared to the other surface coatings. This would aid the clinicians to make appropriate decision regarding the choice of material to be used for restoration and coating in anterior primary teeth.