Microleakage assessment of pit and fissure sealant with and without the use of pumice prophylaxis.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the effect of pumice prophylaxis on the level of microleakage around and between the sealant and enamel.


METHODS
A total of 32 freshly extracted sound upper first premolars, assigned as suitable for sealant application, were chosen and divided randomly into two groups: (1) a test group, without prophylaxis; and (2) a control group, with prophylaxis. Sealant was applied to all teeth using the same conventional technique, with prophylaxis being omitted in the test group. The sealed teeth were thermocycled (120 x 30 s, 5 and 55 degrees C cycles) and then immersed in 2% Basic Fuchsin solution for 72 h. Each tooth was sectioned and examined for dye penetration under a stereomicroscope (x 60 magnification).


RESULTS
No dye penetration was seen in 19 (29.6%) of the teeth in the test group and 36 (56.2%) of the teeth in the control group. Dye had penetrated to the base of the fissure in 31 (48.4%) of the teeth in the test group and 23 (35.9%) of the teeth in the control group. Using a chi-square test for trend, the frequency of microleakage was significantly higher in the test group compared to the controls (P < 0.016).


CONCLUSIONS
Prophylaxis has a role in improving sealant retention. Removing this step may cause an increase in microleakage.
Ansari
G
G
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. koloomi@yahoo.com
Oloomi
K
K
Eslami
B
B
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000145:classification; D003763:Dental Leakage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017640:Silicates / Q000627:therapeutic use
D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D017640:Silicates; C005144:pumice