Bond strength measurements of fissure sealant to glass ionomer (polyalkenoate) cement.

The management of fissure caries is greatly simplified by restricting cavity preparation to the removal of caries and restoring the tooth with a combination of either glass ionomer cement or composite resin with fissure sealant. Clinically, however, problems are experienced in achieving satisfactory retention of fissure sealant to the surface of glass ionomer cement. This in vitro investigation describes the effects of different surface treatments of glass ionomer cement on the shear bond strength obtained with self-cured and light-cured fissure sealant. The application of a halophosphorus ester of bis-glycidyl methacrylate (bis-GMA, Scotchbond Dual Cure) to the set surface of the glass ionomer cement significantly increased the shear bond strength values observed with both the self-cured and light-cured varieties of an unfilled bis-GMA pit and fissure sealant (Delton). Etching of the glass ionomer surface did not significantly improve the shear bond strengths observed.