Physico-chemical approach to pit and fissure sealant infiltration and spreading mechanisms.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate if hydrophilicity influences the depth of penetration and the microleakage and to determine if the state of enamel, wet or dry, influences the wettability and sealing capacity of sealants.


METHODS
HeliosealF, a hydrophobic  sealant, and Embrace, a hydrophilic sealant, were tested. Sections were delimited on each of the polished enamel surfaces of 15 human molars to study the spreading of the selected sealants on wet or dry enamel; 40 molars were used to investigate the depth of penetration and microleakage on  both dry and wet enamel. The surface-free energies were determined.


RESULTS
The spreading of Embrace was significantly better (P<.01) than that of HeliosealF, but there was no difference between the results obtained on wet or dry enamel (P=.90). While there was no difference in  penetration between the 2 sealants (P=.95), their penetration was significantly lower on wet enamel (P=.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Sealant penetration and sealing characteristics are better when sealants are applied on dry enamel. Hydrophilicity and wettability did not have a direct influence  on penetration or microleakage. A set sealant with a low surface-free energy could be an advantage in reducing bacterial adhesion.
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, EA4462 Faculty of Dental Surgery, University Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France. aurelie.beslot@yahoo.fr
Aurélie
A
Beslot-Neveu
Frédéric
F
Courson
N Dorin
ND
Ruse
D003188:Composite Resins; D007700:Kinetics; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants
D003188:Composite Resins; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; C059908:Helioseal