Effects of staining and polishing on different types of enamel surface sealants

Abstract

Objective To assess surface discoloration of four enamel sealants based on different chemical compositions after exposure to artificial aging and staining solutions. Furthermore, their cleanability after polishing will be evaluated. Materials and Methods Selected sealants were a composite resin‐based sealant with fillers (Pro Seal), a composite resin‐based sealant without fillers (Light BondSealant), a resin‐modified glass ionomer‐based sealant (ClinproXT Varnish) and a silicon‐based sealant (Protecto). Natural teeth served as medium. Immersion solutions were water, juice, tea, and turmeric. In a standardized setting, all samples were measured seven times with a spectroradiometer (Photoresearch PR670) at baseline, after thermocycling; 7 days; 2 and 4 weeks of immersion; and after finally polishing. Results Thermocycling had no significant effect on color stability. After exposure to staining solutions, all sealed surfaces showed significant color changes. Color change predominately occurred for all sealants in the first week of staining (P ≤ .01). Best resistance to staining decreased as follows: Protecto > Light Bond Sealant > ProSeal > Clinpro XT Varnish. Surface cleaning by polishing significantly reduced the color change. Conclusion Sealed enamel surfaces are prone to discoloration, which is most prominent in filled composite and glass‐ionomer‐based sealants. Staining can be reduced by polishing; however, in this in vitro setting the original color could not be restored. Clinical Significance Enamel sealants might exert adverse effects in terms of discoloration. This should be taken into consideration by clinicians and patients, particularly when sealants are applied in esthetically critical areas.

Discoloration of surface sealants by plaque disclosing solution

“…As in our previous work we used a threshold value of E = 3.77. Within this previous study, a standard deviation of 5.9 for E was measured [5]. A E threshold of 3.77, assuming a common standard deviation of 5.9 using a two-group test with a 0.05 two-sided significance level and a power of 0.80 yielded a sample size of 40 per group, we added 20% for potential dropouts.…”

“…Orthodontic surface sealants, as we already recently showed in an in vitro study on four orthodontic surface sealants of different chemical compositions, are prone to discoloration by certain foods and beverages. Polishing with brush and prophy paste for 5 s reduced color changes; the original tooth color, however, could not be restored even after long polishing times (15 s) [5].…”

“…In the literature, different threshold values were discussed to describe clinically relevant changes, e.g., E = 2 or E = 2.72. Based on the study of Johnston et al [8] and as in our previous work we used threshold value of E = 3.7 [5].…”

“…Each sample was evaluated after the application of surface sealant (T0', baseline), after the first staining (T1), after the first polishing for 15 s (T2), after the second staining (T3) and after the second polishing for 15 s (T4). We chose 15 s of polishing time because we showed in our previous work K that color changes obtained after 15 s of polishing were more distinct than that after 5 s, albeit not significant [5].…”

<p>Color stability of Lucirin-photo-activated resin composite after immersion in different staining solutions: a spectrophotometric study</p>

“…20,22,28,29 Extrinsic staining can be managed by maintaining polished composite surface initially and later through periodic repolishing. [30][31][32][33][34] Resin-based composite materials represent the most commonly used restorative material in aesthetic restorations. These materials are composed of a polymeric matrix based on dimethacrylate monomers and inorganic fillers and are coated with methyl methacrylate-functional silanes to bond the particles to the matrix, as well as a photo-initiator system that permits photoactivation using a light source.…”