Effects of different fissure sealant applications on laser fluorescence measurements.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of using only phosphoric acid or a self-etch bonding agent under clear and opaque fissure sealants on laser fluorescence (LF) readings and the reproducibility of the laser device.


METHODS
Eighty extracted permanent molars, ranged from sound to carious, were randomly divided into four groups: phosphoric acid + opaque sealant (group I), Clearfil S3 Bond (Kuraray, Kurashiki, Japan) + opaque sealant (group II), phosphoric acid + clear sealant (group III), and Clearfil S3 Bond + clear sealant (group IV). The teeth were measured using an LFpen device, before and after sealing. Data were analysed using the Spearman's correlation, Wilcoxon signed rank, and Mann-Whitney U-test.


RESULTS
Except group IV, there was a statistically significant decrease in fluorescence after the application of sealants (P < 0.05). The decrease of LFpen readings in the opaque sealant groups was more significant than the clear sealant groups (P < 0.05). But for both sealants, the difference between phosphoric acid and Clearfil S3 Bond groups was nonsignificant (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
There was a statistically significant decrease in fluorescence for both clear and opaque sealant groups. However, clear sealant with Clearfil S3 Bond does not influence the LFpen readings.
Sönmez
Işll Saroğlu
IS
Department of Pedodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale, Turkey. isilsaroglu@yahoo.com
Oba
Aylin Akbay
AA
Erkmen
Merve
M
Ekici
Seda
S
D000134:Acid Etching, Dental; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology*; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008422:Materials Testing; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D010756:Phosphoric Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry
C505694:Clearfil S3 Bond; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents; D010756:Phosphoric Acids; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D019279:Resin Cements; C030242:phosphoric acid