Effect of beverages on the marginal integrity of class v tooth preparation restored with alkasite material and highly filled flowable composite resin: an in vitro study

Objective: To evaluate microleakage of Alkasite material (Ivoclar vivadent) and Highly filled flowable composite resin (GC corporation Tokyo, Japan) restorations,immersed in tea, fresh fruit juice and carbonated drink. Materials and Methods: Fourty caries free extracted mandibulars molars were used for the study. Class V cavities were prepared and restored with Alkasite material on the buccal surface and highly filled flowable composite resin on the lingual surface. The teeth were thermocycled following the restoration. The experimental groups comprised of 72 cavities (3 groups comprising 24 cavities each for tea, fresh fruit juice and carbonated drinks), while remaining 8 formed the control group. Each of experimental group was further divided into three subgroups (low, medium and high immersion).The teeth were finally immersed in Methylene Blue dye, sectioned and evaluated under stereomicroscope. Results: The teeth showed statistically significant microleakage as the immersion regime increased. Carbonated drink group showed highest microleakage followed by fresh fruit juice and tea. Highly filled flowable composite resin exhibited more microleakage than the alkasite material but the comparison was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The three beverages used in the study affected the microleakage of both restorative materials significantly. The microleakage scores increased as the frequency of the immersions increased. Soft drink caused highest microleakage followed by fresh fruit juice and tea.