OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present study was to evaluate microleakage of a fourth generation dentine-bonding agent and composite restoration during a walking bleach treatment. METHODS Thirty extracted non-carious incisors were selected and conventional root canal treatment was performed. Teeth were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 10): group A (control), access cavities were restored with a fourth generation dentine-bonding agent, and incrementally restored with composite resin; group B, a paste composed of sodium perborate and hydrogen peroxide was placed into the pulp chamber and sealed with glass ionomer cement for 7 days, teeth were then restored in the same manner as group A; group C, a paste of sodium perborate and hydrogen peroxide was placed in the pulp chamber for 7 days and then after removal of the bleaching mixture, pulp chambers were filled with a calcium hydroxide paste and cavities sealed with glass ionomer for 1 week. The cavities were then restored with bonded restorations as in groups A and B. Teeth were subjected to thermal cycling and immersed in methylene blue for 8 h. Teeth were sectioned from buccal to lingual, through the centre of the restoration, using a diamond disk. Leakage was assessed using a standard scheme, under magnification (x20). Data were submitted to statistical analysis using nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS Groups A and C exhibited similar leakage patterns, and both demonstrated less leakage values than group B (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS It was concluded that bleaching with sodium perborate and hydrogen peroxide increases microleakage; short-term use of a calcium hydroxide medicament did not increase microleakage.