Effect of different prophylaxis methods on sealant adhesion

The objective of this study was to evaluate the retention of a light-cured sealant using previously different prophylaxis methods and two different etching times, thirty and fifteen seconds. Eighty, third molars surgically extracted were sectioned into two halves (buccal and lingual). The teeth were divided into 8 groups of 20 samples each, according to prophylaxis type: pumice powder, fluoridated paste, sodium bicarbonate spray, and control (no prophylaxis); and etching time: 30 and 15 seconds. Tensile bond strengths were studied using a universal Instron testing machine. A statistical test ANOVA was used. No statistical differences were found when comparing both etching times, but when prophylaxis methods were compared a statistically significant higher retention was found in the sodium bicarbonate and fluoridated paste groups.