Microleakage Evaluation of Self-etching Primer Used for Sealant in vitro

Objective: To evaluated the microleakage and penetration ability of light-curing fissure sealant applied over the intact enamel by use of self-etching agents in comparison to phosphoric acid etching of enamel in vitro. Methods: Ninety-six caries-free extracted human third molars were divided into three groups. Occlusal surfaces were cleansed by pumicing, 15 seconds air-abrasion treatment or enameloplasty technique. Then each group was divided into four sub-groups again. In the first sub-group, sealants were placed after phosphoric acid etching. In the remaining three sub-groups, fissures were sealed with the self-etching primer(ClearFil SE bond, Xeno III or iBond), then their apices were sealed with wax. All teeth were thermocycled for 500 cycles in water between 5 and 55 degrees C, then stained with 1% methylene blue for 24 h. The teeth were then sectioned to achieve three cuts resulting in a maximum of four blocks. A total of 288 sections were scored for microleakage on the enamel and the side of the fissure sealant, dye penetration along the enamel-resin-interface was determined. Data were statistically analyzed. Results: Independence of methods used for cleansing of occlusal surfaces, fissure sealant in the group used the self-etching agent iBond showed significantly more microleakage and less sufficient internal seal as compared to sealants placed in the other groups. The cleansing methods no matter by pumicing, 15 seconds air-abrasion treatment or enameloplasty, there were no significantly differences concerning the microleakage placed in phosphoric acid etching, ClearFil SE bond, Xeno III or iBond groups. Conclusion: Based on the results,it can be concluded that ClearFil SE bond and Xeno III can be recommended for bonding fissure sealant. But the sealing ability of iBond is less effective as compared to the conventional acid-etching technique.