title: Sealant adaptation and penetration into occlusal fissures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the adaptation and penetration into occlusal fissures of two different types of fissure sealants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Extracted third molars (n=10) with evident occlusal fissures were cleaned with a pumice/water slurry and randomly divided into two groups and sealed following the manufacturers' directions as follows: Group 1--Embrace fissure sealant (Pulpdent). Surfaces were cleaned and dried, then etched for 15 seconds. Excess water was removed leaving the surface slightly moist. Sealant was applied from cusp to cusp without covering marginal ridges and light cured for 20 seconds using a halogen light at 500 mW/cm2. Group 2--ClinPro (3M Espe). Surfaces were cleaned and dried then etched for 15 seconds. The etched surface was rinsed and thoroughly dried. Dried surfaces appeared frosty white. Sealant was placed making sure not to go beyond etched area, and light cured for 20 seconds. Teeth were thermocycled (500x) and sectioned with an Isomet in a mesio-distal direction (4 slices per tooth). The sections were examined under the SEM. The marginal adaptation of the sealants was evaluated under the SEM using the following criteria: 1 = Smooth adaptation. Sealant flows with enamel. No ledges; 2 = Sealant is not well adapted. Ledge may be present. The penetration ability of the sealants was evaluated under the SEM using the following criteria: 1 = Sealant penetrated 1/3 the total length of the fissure; 2 = Sealant penetrated 1/2 the total length of the fissure; 3 = Sealant penetrated the total length of the fissure. The results were statistically analyzed using a t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Embrace showed consistently more intimate marginal adaptation than ClinPro in fissures of the same approximate width and depth (P < 0.05).
authors.affiliation: College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, 3200 South University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33328, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: Jordan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karren
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garcia-Godoy
authors.forename: Franklin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garcia-Godoy
mesh_terms: D003188:Composite Resins; D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008964:Molar, Third; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants
chemical_list: C500418:Clinpro Sealant; D003188:Composite Resins; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants