Energy dispersive x-ray analysis of corrosion products in nondiscolored dentin and a dye-extraction study of Class 2 composite restorations following amalgam removal.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of corrosion products on the microleakage of composite placed adjacent to nondiscolored dentin after amalgam removal.

Method And Materials: Sixty Class 2 cavities were prepared on extracted premolars, which were divided into four equal groups according to the manner in which they were restored: group 1, light-cured packable composite (Elite LS) to establish a microleakage baseline; group 2, a high-copper amalgam (World Work) previously stored in 37°C normal saline for 6 months to create amalgam corrosion products; group 3, identical to group 2, but the amalgam was later replaced with composite, leaving the cavity walls intact; and group 4, identical to group 3 except the cavity walls were extended 0.5 mm after amalgam removal prior to insertion of the composite.