COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF MICROLEAKAGE AND COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF GLASS IONOMER CEMENT TYPE IX, ZIRCONOMER IMPROVED AND CENTION N - AN IN VITRO STUDY

Context:Restorative dentistry is a blend of art and science. Newer restorative materials like Cention N and Zirconomer Improved are giving a challenge to conventional restorative materials. Aims: To evaluate and compare the microleakage and compressive strength of GIC type IX, Zirconomer Improved and Cention N using stereomicroscope and universal testing machine. Study design: For microleakage evaluation, 45 non carious extracted premolars divided into three groups were restored with GIC type IX, Zirconomer Improved and Cention N respectively. Post thermocycling they were immersed in mythelene blue dye for 24 hours. Sectioning was done and viewed under stereomicroscope for scoring by Vinay S and Shivanna V. For compressive strength evaluation, 45 standardized autoclavablemoulds were taken and divided into three groups each, which were then restored with GIC type IX, Zirconomer Improved and Cention N respectively. Thermocycling was done and the pellets were stored in distilled water for 24 hours and subjected to compressive strength testing in universal testing machine. The data was statistically analyzed and results were obtained. Statistical analysis:One Way-Anovaand Tukey?s Post Hoc Test Was Used for Multiple Group Comparisons. Result:Cention N had the least microleakage followed by Zirconomer Improved and GIC type IX. Compressive strength was highest in Cention N followed by Zirconomer Improved and least with GIC type IX. Conclusion:Cention N can be recommended as a permanent restorative material on account of good compressive strength and less microleakage.