Final answer:
Microleakage refers to the inability of materials to seal margins adequately around the tooth structure, allowing leakage of saliva.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inability of materials to seal margins adequately around the tooth structure, which allows leakage of saliva, is called microleakage.
Microleakage refers to the microscopic gaps or spaces that can occur between a dental restoration (such as a filling or crown) and the natural tooth structure. These gaps can allow saliva, bacteria, and food particles to penetrate into the tooth, leading to further decay and potential complications.
For example, if a dental filling is not properly sealed at the margin where it meets the tooth, bacteria can enter these gaps, causing further damage and potentially leading to the development of cavities or even periodontal disease.