Effect of Preparation technique, fissure morphology, and Material Characteristics on the In Vitro Margin Permeability and Penetrability of Pit and Fis

Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Lutheran Medical Center

Resident’s Name: Craig Elice Date: 3/6/2009
Article title: Effect of Preparation Technique, Fissure Morphology, and Material Characteristics on the In Vitro Marginal Permeability of Pit and Fissure Sealants
Author(s): Selecman JB, Owens BM, Johnson WW.
Journal: Pediatric Dentisty
Volume (number): 29:308-14
Date: July, August 2007
Major topic: Compare 5 different sealants for permeability and penetration
Type of Article: Research article
Main Purpose: This in vitro study evaluated the effect of preparation techniques, fissure morphology and material characteristics on the marginal permeability and penetrability of 5 different pit and fissure sealants
Materials and Methods: 100 extracted permanent molars assigned to ten groups consisting of 5 sealants Aegis , Conseal f, Admira-seal,Triage, and Delton opaque divided into two groups, pumice prophy and acid etch (PP) vs air abrasion (AA). Microleakage was assessed by thermocycling for 1000 cycles protecting the root apex with utility wax and nail varnish and immersing in methylene blue dye for 24 hours and preparing for microscopic evaluation to assess dye penetration, sealant penetrability, and fissure morphology.
Findings: Leakage: The Aegis PP group had significantly lower leakage that most sealants while no leakage was measured in 44% of the specimens and 18% had minimal leakage. Admira-seal had 90% with some leakage and 70% with the maximum leakage. Penetrability: Delton PP had the highest penetrability while Aegis PP had the lowest penetrability. Fissure type analysis: no significant differences between fissue types and microleakage and penetrability although flatter grooves tended to have better penetrability. Observations made by the authors include the fact that Triage glass ionomer sealant showed cracking and exhibited the highest microleakage and poorest retention rates. Interestingly Triage and Aegis had higher surface absorption of methylene blue but did not indicate a relationship with microleakage per se, only esthetics. In most cases, surface preparation did not affect microleakage or penetrability. However the results indicate that air abrasion is too aggressive in conditioning enamel for sealant bonding. There was no correlation between microleakage and penetrability of the sealants.
Key points/Summary : Aegis sealants show the least microleakage and inferior penetrability. Delton and Triage have superior penetrability. Fissure morphology significantly influences selant penetrability but no correlation to microleakage. Flatter grooves have deeper penetrability.
Assessment of article: Fair particle. Conclusions do not offer much clinical applicability.