title: Microleakage and penetration of a hydrophilic sealant and a conventional resin-based sealant as a function of preparation techniques: a laboratory study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Optimal pit and fissure sealing is determined by surface preparation techniques and choice of materials.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed (i) to compare the microleakage and penetration depth of a hydrophilic sealant and a conventional resin-based sealant using one of the following preparation techniques: acid etching (AE) only, a diamond bur + AE, and Er:YAG laser combined with AE, and (ii) to evaluate the microleakage and penetration depth of the hydrophilic pit and fissure sealant on different surface conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty recently extracted 3rd molars were randomly assigned to eight groups of ten teeth according to the material, preparation technique, and surface condition. For saliva contamination, 0.1 mL of fresh whole human saliva was used. All samples were submitted to 1000 thermal cycles and immersed in 2% methylene blue dye for 4 h. Sections were examined by a light microscope and analysed using image analysis software (Sigmascan(®)).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The combination of Er:YAG + AE + conventional sealant showed the least microleakage. The sealing ability of the hydrophilic sealant was influenced by the surface condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Er:YAG ablation significantly decreased the microleakage at the tooth-sealant interface compared to the non-invasive technique. The hydrophilic sealant applied on different surface conditions showed comparable result to the conventional resin-based sealant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Special Care, PaeCaMed research, Ghent University, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ahmed Eltigani
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Khogli
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cauwels
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vercruysse
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verbeeck
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martens
mesh_terms: D000134:Acid Etching, Dental / Q000379:methods; D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D004396:Coloring Agents; D001840:Dental Bonding; D045662:Dental Etching / Q000379:methods; D003763:Dental Leakage / Q000145:classification*; D018130:Diamond / Q000737:chemistry; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008422:Materials Testing; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D008751:Methylene Blue; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010756:Phosphoric Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000737:chemistry*; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D012463:Saliva; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D019246:Tooth Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D008689:Methacrylates; D010756:Phosphoric Acids; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D019279:Resin Cements; D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D018130:Diamond; C030242:phosphoric acid; D008751:Methylene Blue