Effect of salivary contamination on microleakage of resin composites placed with a self-etch adhesive in primary teeth: an in vitro study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate in vitro the effect of salivary contamination on the microleakage of resin composite restorations placed with a self-etching adhesive in primary teeth.

Methods: Fifty-six extracted primary molars received standardized Class V preparations. The teeth were assigned to 7 groups (n=8): 1-layer and 2-layer application of the self-etching primer (Clearfil SE Bond) with no contamination (groups 1 and 2, respectively); saliva, SE primer, and drying (group 3); SE primer, drying, saliva, and drying (group 4); SE primer, drying, saliva, and rinsing/drying (group 5); SE primer, drying, saliva, drying, SE primer, and drying (group 6); and SE primer, drying, saliva, rinsing/drying, SE primer, and drying (group 7).