The Effects of Scaling and Root Planing on the Marginal Gap and Microleakage of Indirect Composite Crowns Prepared With Different Finish Lines: An In Vitro Study.

SUMMARY The present in vitro study aimed to assess the effects of root surface mechanical instrumentation on the marginal integrity and adaptation of resin composite crowns. The following null hypotheses were tested: no differences exist between finish line and 1) marginal gap or 2) marginal microleakage before and after manual mechanical periodontal maintenance. A total of 56 intact human mandibular molars were randomly distributed into four groups and subjected to standardized tooth preparations for indirect composite crowns with different marginal finish lines (90° shoulder, beveled 90° shoulder, feather edge, chamfer). One-half of the specimens was used as a control and remained untreated, and the remaining half was subjected to root surface procedures simulating five years of semestral mechanical supportive periodontal treatment. The marginal gap and microleakage were evaluated and statistically analyzed. The specimens used as controls showed lower mean marginal gaps than those subjected to the simulated periodontal treatment, whereas the latter showed lower microleakage than the control crowns. Statistically significant differences were recorded for both the experimental variables. The root surface procedures resulted in altered surfaces of the composite crowns. The marginal gap increased after the treatment, whereas the marginal microleakage was reduced. The 90° shoulder and the chamfer preparation could be considered a viable option to fabricate composite crowns, but the beveled 90° shoulder and the feather edge should not be recommended.