Depth of Penetration of Fissure Sealants on Contaminated Enamel Surface

OBJECTIVE: To compare the depth of penetration into pit/ fissures for Triage GI against Delton, a resin-based sealant, on saliva contaminated enamel surfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 458 fissures were examined on extracted non-carious human permanent molars sealed with either Triage (T), or Delton. Following prophylaxis with pumice, Group D was etched with 38% H3PO4 for 30 seconds, and Prime & Bond NT was applied, dried and light cured for 20 seconds. Group T was treated with Cavity-Conditioner for 15 seconds. A single drop of natural-saliva was applied to the occlusal surface with a microbrush. Sealants were then placed using the manufacturer's directions. All sealants covered the entire occlusal surface to function as a surface protecting sealer. The groups were thermocycled (5º-55ºC, 1 min. dwell time) for 1500 cycles; and after each 500 cycles, they were subjected to toothbrush abrasion for 6000 strokes, a total of 18,000 strokes. All samples were cross-sectioned in 1 mm intervals, and digital light microscope images were taken under 40x magnification, and calibrated via 1mm ruler marks within each picture using SPOT software. 200micron width isthmus of each unfilled fissure was marked with calibration marks. The borders of fissures underneath the 200micron mark were followed precisely using a graphical pen mouse. Total region area under the calibration mark and the region area covered by the fissure sealant was measured separately in square microns using the SPOT software. Percent surface coverage of each fissure by the sealants was averaged. RESULTS: Group D revealed an average 65.6 % of surface coverage, while Group T averaged 83.2 % surface coverage under selected areas. CONCLUSION: Since surface coverage is the function of flowability and adaptability of the sealants, Group T is concluded to be a more effective sealant agent under saliva-contaminated surfaces. GC America supported this study.