EFFECT OF PHOTO-ACTIVATED DISINFECTION (PAD) ON MICROLEAKAGE OF CERAMIC INLAY RESTORATIONS

Aim: the aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of photo-activated disinfection (pad) on the microleakage of ceramic inlay restorations. materials and methods: standardized mesioocclusal and disto-occlusal inlay cavities were prepared in 20 freshly extracted human third molars. coronal margins were located in the enamel and gingival margins located in the cementum. the teeth were randomly divided into two groups (n=20, pad application and no pad application). ceramic inlay restorations (vitadur, vita-zahnfabrik) were cemented by resin cement to inlay cavities (panavia f 2.0, pf, kuraray). the samples were subjected to thermalcycling and immersed in 0.5% basic fuchsine solution during 24 hours. then the samples were sectioned longitudinally in bucco-lingual and mesiodistal directions. the slices were observed under a stereomicroscope and the scores were analyzed with mann-whitney u and wilcoxon test. results: pad application significantly decreased the microleakege values (p<0.05). microleakage at gingival margins were greater than that at enamel margins (p<0.05). in the group to which pad was applied, microleakage was seen less than non-pad application group (p<0.05). conclusion: pad application is an effective method in ceramic inley restorations the lowest microleakage values.