Retention and penetration of a conventional resin-based sealant and a photochromatic flowable composite resin placed on occlusal pits and fissures

Abstract

This study compares the retention and penetration of a conventional resin-based sealant (Fluroshield) and a photochromatic flowable composite resin (Tetric Flow Chroma) placed on occlusal pits and fissures and submitted to thermal or chemical cycling regimens. Penetration assessment--ten premolars were sealed with each material, isolated (except for the sealed surface) and immersed in 0.2% Rhodamine B. The teeth were serially sectioned in a mesiodistal direction. The images of the sections were digitized and analyzed (ImageLab). The distance between the most superficial and the deepest points on the occlusal central groove was calculated to determine the groove's total depth. The length of the central groove filled with the sealant was divided by its total depth to obtain the percentage of sealing of the occlusal groove. Retention assessment--30 premolars were sealed, their occlusal surfaces were photographed and the area occupied by the sealing materials was demarcated (ImageLab). The teeth were submitted to different treatments: thermocycled, stored in artificial saliva and immersed in acetic acid and saliva (10 cycles/day protocol for 30 days). New photographs were taken to assess the final area occupied by the materials. The difference between the final and initial area was calculated to obtain the material loss. The data was analyzed (two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test P<0.05). Both materials presented similar penetration of the occlusal central groove. After thermal and chemical cycling, the materials did not differ with respect to retention, except for immersion in acetic acid. In this case, Tetric Flow Chroma presented greater retention than Fluoroshield.

Retention of pit and fissure sealants versus flowable composites in permanent teeth: A systematic review

“…Dukic et al [ 28 ] noted that amongst his experimental groups, there was not a single case of caries incidence in the teeth sealed with the flowable composite, deducing that flowable composite resins when used in combination with dentin bonding agents, showed enhanced strength of the adhesive bonding to enamel in fissures by the formation of resin-tags and thus better retention rates. Additionally, an in-vitro study by Aguilar et al [ 13 ] has reported superior performance of flowable composites than conventional PFS with no statistically significant difference concerningtheir depth of penetration and retention rates.…”

“…The salivary pH ranges from neutral to acidic, and alterations in the mechanical properties of restorative materials can occur at lower pH levels. Various other factors also impede sealant retention including polymerization stress, thermocycling, water sorption, and deflection by occlusal forces, and the literature indicates that about 5–10% of sealant volume is lost per year [ 13 ].…”

“…By adding inorganic filler particles to sealant formulations, manufacturers attempted to increase their wear resistance. Amongst the various materials being used as PFS, flowable composites are gaining popularity, owing to their favorable properties such as easy handling, low elastic modulus and low viscosity [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Flowable composites have lower filler volume (37–53%) than conventional composites, that aids in modifying the viscosity of these materials [ 14 ], thereby enabling them to be packed into small preparations that would be difficult to fill otherwise [ 15 ].…”

Micro-leakage of a Fissure Sealant Cured Using Quartz-tungsten-halogen and Plasma Arc Light Curing Units

“…Most studies have assessed the effect of plasma arc on composite resins, compomers or resin-modified glass-ionomers. 2 , 13 There are few studies conducted on the effect of this method on sealants. 4 …”

In vitro comparison of microleakage of two materials used as pit and fissure sealants

“…1 Sealant placement is considered an effective treatment modality for prevention of caries in occlusal pits and fissures. 2 Nevertheless, the preventive benefits of this treatment relies directly upon the ability of the resin sealant to thoroughly fill pits and fissures and/or morphological surface defects and remain completely intact and bonded to enamel for a life time. 3 , 4 …”