Microleakage in the terms of dentistry is used to describe and explain the ‘diffusion’ of bacterial, oral fluids, ions and molecules into or between the tooth and the filling, obturating or luting material interface. Also, it can be used to detail the undetected passage of bacteria, fluids and molecules between the tooth surface and the restorative material or luting agent. The cause of such may be for example thermal and occlusal forces acting on a restoration, such leakage may also take place during gap formation at margins that are created during a cavity preparation for example.

Due to the concept, ideology and factual representation of microleakage, Clinicians must make this a vital consideration during the operator’s treatment plan and during the diagnostic parameters. The materials that are used throughout each step of a procedure during a restoration therefore must be carefully analysed and put under scrutiny, to ensure that as minimal microleakage occurs. Microleakage being a hugely impactful factor to the longevity of the treatment that has been decided on by the operator. Such longevity if compromised and ultimately leads to failure can therefore have an impact on the operator’s career and reputation themselves.

This thesis research will be investigating the mechanism, methods and techniques that are used in modern day dentistry to overcome the challenges that microleakage can present and pose. The aim is to do so by using articles, studies and publishments that have been produced by other scholars from around the globe. Using these publications, this thesis aims to compare the principles and methods that have been described in such studies and try to evaluate the use of techniques and their efficiency, that may and can be used throughout many fields of dentistry in order to minimize the creation and production of microleakage, therefore leading to a more dependable treatment for the patients.