Flow characteristics and sealing ability of fissure sealants

This study evaluated the relationship between fissure sealant viscosity, leakage prevention and the incidence of void formation of five commercially available pit-and-fissure sealants. Seventy-two intact, caries free human pre-molars and molars were divided into six test groups of 12 teeth each. All teeth were cleaned with a flour of pumice prophylaxis followed by etching for 60 seconds with 37% H3PO4, rinsing for 30 seconds and drying with oil-free air. Five commercial, light-cured fissure sealants and an unfilled version of one sealant were applied following manufacturers' instructions. Teeth were thermal cycled for 5000 cycles from 5-50 degrees C with a one-minute dwell time at each temperature. Silver nitrate staining followed by mesiodistal sectioning was performed. Leakage and void formation were evaluated at X50 optical magnification. Viscosity was assessed by syringing the fissure sealants into short pipettes, allowing free flow for 30 seconds and then light curing for one minute. The length of unfilled capillary was measured with a Vernier gauge. All experimental data was subjected to a one-way ANOVA, and where differences were detected, they were identified by a post hoc Tukey hsd test at a priori alpha = 0.05. Based on the conditions of the study, viscosity and flow characteristics had no effect on sealing ability or void formation.