Microhardness studies on the setting characteristics of fissure sealants.

The hardness of five fissure sealants was measured using a Wallace Microhardness Tester and found to continue to increase long after the initial setting. The effect of the intensity of radiation and exposure time on the setting of two u.v. activated sealants (Nuva-seal and Alphaseal) was also investigated, with higher intensities producing both a more rapid set and greater final hardness. Alphaseal required longer exposure at a given intensity of u.v. radiation to achieve the same hardness as Nuva-seal, and displayed relatively slow setting in depth, which could give rise to incomplete polymerization during clinical use, resulting in early sealant loss. Thus special care must be taken to ensure that Alphaseal receives an adequate exposure to u.v. radiation, and sources which are suitable for setting Nuva-seal may not be sufficiently powerful when applying Alphaseal.