The effect of pit and fissure morphology and sealant viscosity on sealant penetration and microleakage

Abstract

Background: The ability of sealants to prevent caries is directly related to the sealant being retained in teeth. The longer the material remains bonded to the occlusal surface, the more protection it provides to the tooth. Objective: The aim of this in-vitro study was to evaluate the influence of pit and fissure morphologies and sealant viscosity on sealant penetration and micro-leakage. 82 Study Hypothesis: The low viscosity dental sealant will express better penetration ability and less microleakage in permanent molars with any pit and fissure morphology than the high viscosity sealant. Material and methods: Permanent extracted molars (n = 150) were distributed into two groups based on two types of sealant (high and low viscosity) Permanent extracted molars (n = 150) were selected using the International Caries Detection Assessment system (ICDAS) criteria 0-1. Teeth were stored in 0.1-percent thymol and distilled water. Teeth were assigned to three subgroups according to the fissure’s morphology. Enamel was etched with 35-percent phosphoric acid for 30 seconds; two different light cured sealants were placed, Group A: Delton and Group B: Ultra X Plus. Specimens were thermocycled for 500 cycles between two water baths, having a 40°C temperature differential (4°C to 48°C). Teeth were coated with nail varnish and wax, except in the occlusal areas. All specimens were immersed in 1-percent methylene blue dye at 37°C for 24 hours. Specimens were sectioned longitudinally in a bucco-lingual direction, and the sections were photographed and analyzed by a previously trained examiner for fissure morphology, sealant penetration, and microleakage using a standardized grading system. Data were entered and statistically analyzed, at the 5-percent significance level. Results: Viscosity of sealant and morphology of fissures had significant effects on sealant penetration (p < 0.001). The interaction between viscosity of sealant and morphology of fissures was not significant (p = 0.4236). The sealant penetration for Delton was significantly higher than the UltraSeal XT Plus (p < 0.0001). The sealant penetration for fissure I-type was significantly lower than fissures U and V-types (p < 0.0001). Sealant penetration for Y-type was significantly lower than U and V-types (p < 83 0.0001). However, the viscosity of sealant and morphology of fissures did not have significant effect on microleakage (p = 0.5891 and p = 0.4857). The interaction between the viscosity of the sealant material and the morphology of pit and fissures was not significant (p = 0.6657). Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated the viscosity of the sealant and the morphology did not affect the microleakage. On the other hand, the viscosity of sealant affected the penetration ability of dental sealant. The low viscosity dental sealant (Delton) exhibited a better penetration than the high viscosity sealant (UltraSeal XT Plus). As the morphology of pit and fissure directly affected the penetration ability, the fissures types U and V exhibited a better penetration than fissure types Y and I.