Introduction:

Large cavities can be successfully restored using minimally invasive direct restoration techniques, but deep proximal caries below the cemento-enamel junction require complex treatment methods.

Objectives:

Comparative evaluation of the impact of cervical margin relocation (CMR) on periodontal health using flowable resin composite and resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI) over a one year of clinical follow-up.

Material and methods:

A total of (n = 42) participants were enrolled in the study. Every participant had at least one proximal caries affecting permanent molar teeth below the cemento-enamel junction. Forty-two proximal defects were randomly assigned into two equivalent primary groups (n = 21) according to the type of restoration utilized for CMR: group 1 – micro-hybrid flowable resin composite (Dynamic Flow), and group 2 – RMGI (Riva Light Cure). Gingival index for each group was evaluated with visual inspection and probing. Mesial, distal, facial, and lingual surfaces were assessed using periodontal probe at baseline (one week), six months, and one year post-treatment.

Results:

Each group showed statistically non-significant difference in gingival index scores between 6 months and one year. However, in both the groups, there were statistically significant variations between baseline and 6 months as well as baseline and one year. Moreover, the difference between both the groups at all time intervals was non-significant.

Conclusions:

The cervical margin relocation technique appears appropriately accepted by periodontal health, resulting in little or no clinical signs of inflammation. Both micro-hybrid flowable resin composite and RMGI may be effective for cervical margin relocation procedures in terms of their one-year effects on periodontal health.