Hydrostatic pulpal pressure effect upon microleakage

Purpose: To evaluate if hydrostatic pulpal pressure plays a role in reducing microleakage. Methods: Uniform Class 5 preparations were accomplished on human molars with one margin on root dentin. Prepared teeth were randomly placed in one of three groups: (1) Hydrostatic pressure simulation at 20 cm pulpal pressure; (2) Hydrostatic pressure simulation but no pressure applied (positive control); and (3) Conventional microleakage method. Specimens were subjected to 24 hours methylene blue dye, sectioned, and microleakage assessed as a function of microleakage length versus entire preparation wall length using a traveling microscope. Results: Hydrostatic pressure specimens demonstrated less gingival wall microleakage than the control groups while no difference was found between occlusal preparation walls.