title: Comparison of various concentrations of tricalcium phosphate nanoparticles on mechanical properties and remineralization of fissure sealants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical properties (flexural strength, micro-shear bond strength) and remineralizing potential of fissure sealants by adding various concentrations of β-tricalcium phosphate nanoparticles.
  
  
  METHODS
  This in-vitro study consisted of five experimental groups containing prepared nano-fisssure sealants (1-5 wt.% β-TCP nanoparticles) and two control groups containing a prepared and a commercial fissure sealant. Flexural/micro-shear bond strength values were measured using Zwick test machine. Cavities on sixty healthy premolar teeth were filled with the fissure sealants containing 0-5 wt.% of nano β-TCP. The samples were assessed for remineralization under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and EDAX. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, One-way ANOVA and Tukey's Post Hoc analysis/HSD were used to analyze the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between the flexural strengths/elastic modulus of the 0-5 wt.% nano β-TCP groups (p>0.05). The average flexural strength/elastic modulus of the prepared fissure sealant group (0%) was significantly higher than the commercial fissure sealant group (Clinpro) (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between micro-shear bond strengths of the experimental groups (1-5 wt.%), and between the commercial and the prepared (0%) fissure sealant groups (p>0.05). Examining the samples under SEM showed a significant increase in thickness of the intermediate layer with increasing concentrations of β-TCP nanoparticles (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Addition of 1-5 wt.% β-TCP nanoparticles to the fissure sealants significantly increased the remineralization potential without affecting the mechanical properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tavassoli-Hojjati
authors.affiliation: Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute (IPPI), Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Atai
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Roza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Haghgoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rahimian-Imam
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Somayeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kameli
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ahmaian-Babaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, Dental School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Faezeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hamzeh
authors.affiliation: Dental Research Center, Research Institute of Dental Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmadyar
keywords: Fissure Sealants; Nanoparticles; Tooth Remineralization