SEM and Microleakage Evaluation of 3 Flowable Composites as Sealants Without Using Bonding Agents

Author(s): Ho Beom Kwon DDS MS PhD Ki Tae Park DDS MS PhD
Journal: Pediatric Dentistry
Volume (number): 27;6
Month, Year: 12/2005
Major topic: Study of use of flowable composite as sealant
Type of Article: Clinical Trial in vitro
Overview of method of research: Two extracted third molars were sectioned mesiodistally; one area being treated with 35% phosphoric acid, another area was etched and treated with a sealant material. The sealant was removed, the tooth was treated with a gold palladium alloy and analyzed under SEM. Fifty four extracted premolars were divided into 3 groups, prepared with a ¼ round bur, pumiced and were each treated with Ultraseal XT Plus and one of the following flowable composites: Filtek Flow, Tetric Flow and Charmfil Flow. The teeth were agitated and dyed to determine penetrance of the dye under the different sealing methods and analyzed with optical microscopy.
Findings: Ultraseal XT proved to be a more successful sealant material than flowable composites both in minimizing microleakage and produced fewer voids.
Key points/Summary: Ultraseal is superior to common flowable composites in doing what it was designed to do, even in prepared teeth.
Assessment of article: A well designed study with the teeth being their own control.

Brian Schmid DMD