Effect of adhesive agent and fissure morphology on the in vitro microleakage and penetrability of pit and fissure sealants.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of adhesive agents and fissure morphology on the microleakage and penetrability of pit and fissure sealants.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

Sealants used in this study included Aegis (Bosworth), conseal f (Southern Dental Industries), and Admira Seal (Voco). Adhesive agents included Optibond Solo Plus (sds/Kerr) and Clearfil S3Bond (Kuraray). Ninety extracted permanent molars were randomly assigned to 9 groups combining sealant and adhesive agent materials. A sealant and control group (phosphoric acid etch only) was also included. Dye penetration (microleakage), penetrability, and fissure morphology assessment was performed for the treatment groups through microscopic evaluation.

RESULTS

Significant (P = .003) differences in microleakage were exhibited, with the Aegis + control and Aegis + Optibond Solo Plus groups displaying less leakage, while significant (P = .03) differences were also noted between groups regarding penetrability. Fissure morphology was not a significant (P = .82) factor affecting microleakage; however, fissure type did significantly (P < .001) impact penetrability. No correlation was found between the extent of microleakage and penetrability.

CONCLUSION

Application of sealants using phosphoric acid as a conditioning agent revealed superior results, while the use of adhesives was found to be unnecessary.