Objective: To evaluate the effect of cavity dimensions on the amount of microleakage in two different types of bulk-fill composite resins. Material and Methods: Forty class II cavities were prepared in the mesial and distal surfaces of human molars without any carious lesions. The samples were divided into 4 groups (n=10): Group 1: cavities with 3 mm of buccolingual width (known as the smaller cavity), filled with Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill composite resin; Group 2: cavities with 6 mm of buccolingual width (larger cavity), filled with Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill composite resin; Group 3: cavities with 3 mm of buccolingual width, filled with X-Tra Base composite resin; and Group 4: cavities with 6 mm of buccolingual width, filled with X-Tra Base composite. After the specimens were thermocycled for 500 cycles at 5/55°C, they were immersed in 1% methylene blue for 24 hours, and then cut into sections mesiodistally in the longitudinal axis of each tooth. Then, the samples were scored regarding the amount of dye penetration in two occlusal and gingival areas under a stereomicroscope (x32). Data was submitted to Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: The highest degrees of microleakage in larger cavities filled with X-Tra Base among the four groups. There was a significant statistic difference (p=0.012) between large and small cavities filled with X-Tra Base (Groups 3 and 4); however, there was no significant difference between the two cavity sizes of Tetric N-Ceram Bulk-filled groups. Conclusion: Microleakage of composite resins depends on the dimension of the cavity and the type of composite resin used.

To evaluate the effect of a resin coating material on the microleakage of Class V composite resin restorations with and without post-operative bleaching. Material and Methods: Eighty class V cavities (3×3×1.5 mm) were prepared and filled with Z250 XT composite resin in the buccal and lingual surfaces of 40 sound human molars. Then the samples were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=20) and treated as follows: Group A: applying a resin coating (G-Coat Plus) on the restoration, then bleaching with 40% hydrogen peroxide; Group B: Post-Operative bleaching without prior use of resin coating; Group C: applying resin coating agent, and no further bleaching; and Group D: no resin coating, no bleaching. The specimens were thermocycled and immersed in 1% methylene blue for 24 hours, then cut into sections bucco-lingually. The samples were scored regarding the amount of dye penetration under a stereomicroscope (x20). Data were analyzed with Chi-squared and Fisher exact tests (p<0.05). Results: The maximum gingival and occlusal microleakage was detected in group B, while the minimum was seen in group C. In all the groups, microleakage at gingival margins was higher than occlusal margins (p<0.001). Conclusion: Application of a resin coating is an effective method in reducing microleakage of the restorations before and after bleaching.