Effects of application techniques and fissure types on the in vitro performance of two fissure sealants.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of two materials, modified applications, moisture contamination and fissure types on the microleakage and penetration ability of fissure sealants.


METHODS
140 extracted human molar teeth were randomly assigned to 14 groups. The three following factors were tested: 1) two sealing materials (Concise and Tetric Flow), 2) four modified applications (cleaning with an air polishing device, etching with a vibration system, the use of drying agent and sealant application with a vibration system), 3) the procedures performed under two conditions (at ambient room condition and in a humidity chamber). Each tooth was subjected to thermal cycling (5000 cycles at 5-55 degrees C) and dye immersion (5% Methylene blue for 24 hours). After sectioning, microleakage, penetration ability and fissure type were examined. Multiple regression analyses were used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
The type of sealing materials and the modified applications were significantly associated with microleakage (P<0.001). The significant impacts on penetration ability were the fissure type, material and mode of application (P<0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
Concise showed significantly better performance than Tetric Flow. The non-invasive cleaning method with an air polishing system and the use of drying agent improved the quality of sealants. The greatest influence on penetration ability was the fissure type.
Duangthip
Duangporn
D
Faculty of Dentistry, Thammasat University, Klongluang, Patumthani, 12120 Thailand. dduangporn@yahoo.com
Lussi
Adrian
A
D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate; D003188:Composite Resins; D003745:Dental Enamel Permeability; D045662:Dental Etching / Q000379:methods; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000473:pathology; D003763:Dental Leakage; D003890:Desiccation; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008963:Molar; D015588:Observer Variation; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D011897:Random Allocation; D013499:Surface Properties; D017155:Wettability
D003188:Composite Resins; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; C452226:tetric flow composite resin; D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate