Effect of a bioactive pit and fissure sealant on demineralized human enamel: in vitro study

Abstract

Background Incorporation of bioactive agent into pit and fissure sealant would halt demineralization and promote further remineralization. The aim was to assess the effect of bioactive and fluoride fissure sealants on calcium and phosphate content and surface topography of artificially demineralized enamel in young permanent teeth. Methods 30 sound extracted premolars free from cracks or any developmental anomalies were used. They were divided into group I bioactive fissure sealant, group II fluoride fissure sealant and group III no material applied. Each tooth was divided into halves in a buccolingual direction and evaluated by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) at baseline, demineralization and after applying the material. Another set of 7 sound extracted premolars was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at the same phases. Results EDX showed that regaining calcium to demineralized enamel was significantly higher with bioactive sealant than either fluoride or the control group. SEM revealed minerals deposits with formation of distinct white zone at tooth/sealant interface for both pit and fissure sealant groups. Whereas no white zone formation was detected in control group. Conclusions Incorporating bioactive material into pit and fissure sealant through microcapsules provided better results than incorporating fluoride by enhancing the biological process of remineralization. Clinical relevance: The more use of bioactive pit and fissure sealant would maintain the occlusal surfaces as sound structures and decrease the need for operative procedures to restore teeth cavitation.

Evaluation of Remineralizing Ability and Mechanical Properties of Two Fluoride Rechargeable Fissure Sealants in Primary Molars: An In vitro Study

“…This is according to the study conducted by Ibrahim MS et.al (2021) (20) and Salma RS et.al (2022). (48) Regarding the results of the present study, EDX findings recorded higher calcium and phosphorus deposition in all the enamel specimens from the baseline and after the two sealants application. By comparing Ca and P weight percentages between after Helioseal F and BeautiSealant, they were nearly the same for the two sealants (32.413 and 32.863 for Ca) and (15.708 and 16.607 for P) respectively, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups.…”

Antibacterial Efficacy of Dental Sealant Containing Phytoncide

“…The use of pit and fissure sealants has been acknowledged as an effective method for preventing early occlusal caries 10) . Consequently, efforts have been directed toward enhancing their clinical performance through the addition of antibacterial properties 8,10) , and the development of a sealant with antibacterial attributes has been the subject of several studies 23) . However, the incorporation of antibacterial agents may compromise mechanical strength, and the release of antibacterial substances from restorative materials can induce changes in material properties 9,17) .…”

“…Sealing occlusal pits and fissures with resinbased sealants represents an established method for preventing occlusal caries 7) . Recently, flowable composites have been proposed as fissure sealants owing to their advantageous attributes such as low viscosity and elastic modulus and ease of handling 8) . However, the resin-based sealant remains susceptible to bacterial colonization despite its manifold benefits, potentially leading to secondary caries due to bacterial acid production 9) .…”