Optimal use of silver nitrate and marginal leakage at the sealant-enamel interface using micro-CT.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the optimal silver nitrate concentration and tooth immersion period for assessing marginal leakage at the sealant-enamel interface, using micro-CT.


METHODS
Two experiments were conducted, using eight teeth sealed with a resin composite without etching, in dried but not desiccated, pits and fissures. Five teeth were immersed in 50% silver nitrate for 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours and scanned, using micro-CT, and two evaluators using a newly developed index assessed marginal leakage at the sealant-enamel interface (Experiment A). Experiment B was carried out in the same way as Experiment A, with the difference that teeth were immersed in 50% and 60% silver nitrate for 2 and 3 hours. Reliability of scores was estimated, using weighted kappa coefficient. ANOVA and t-test were applied to test for period and concentration effects.


RESULTS
Reliability of collected data was substantial. A statistically significant difference was observed between 50% silver nitrate penetration scores at 0-1 and 2-4 hours of immersion (P < 0.0001) but not between 50% silver nitrate penetration scores at 2-, 3-, and 4-hours of immersion (P > 0.05) (experiment A). Analysis in experiment B showed a period effect (P = 0.03) but no concentration (P = 0.07) and interaction effect (P = 0.64). Combining all data from 50% silver nitrate immersion, analysis showed no statistically significant difference in penetration scores between 2, 3 and 4 hours of immersion (P = 0.33). The newly developed index showed substantial reliability.
Chen
Xi
X
Key Laboratory for Oral Biomedical Engineering, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, 237 LuoYu Road, Wuhan 430079, China.
Cuijpers
Vincent
V
Fan
MingWen
M
Frencken
Jo E
JE
D000134:Acid Etching, Dental; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003763:Dental Leakage / Q000145:classification*; D006801:Humans; D007101:Immersion; D008422:Materials Testing; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012835:Silver Nitrate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016622:Silver Staining / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography
D003188:Composite Resins; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; C099291:teethmate-FTM; D012835:Silver Nitrate