Marginal seal of sealant and compomer materials with and without enameloplasty

This in vitro study evaluated the quality of marginal seal and fissure penetration of a resin-sealant (Concise) and a compomer restorative material (F2000) with and without enameloplasty. SAMPLE AND DESIGN: Thirty extracted sound human permanent third molar teeth were divided into six groups of five and used in this in vitro study.

Occlusal surfaces of the teeth in different groups were either left intact or prepared using a #582 S diamond bur. Teeth were then restored with Concise and F2000 restorative materials using combinations of different surface treatments. Teeth were prepared for microleakage, then immersed in 5% methylene blue for 4 h, and subsequently sectioned into four bucco-lingual sections. Sections (20 per group) were examined using a stereomicroscope. The following parameters were evaluated: marginal leakage, marginal gap, voids and filling defects, as well as enamel fissure penetration.

Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA showed statistically significant differences between the groups for marginal leakage (P < 0.0001), marginal gap (P < 0.001), and enamel fissure penetration (P < 0.001). No statistically significant differences between the groups for voids and filling defects were detected. Non-parametric Tukey's multiple range test showed that microleakage of sealant with acid etch and tooth preparation and compomer with acid etch, bonding agent and tooth preparation were statistically significantly less than that of compomer with bonding agent and no tooth preparation (P < 0.0001) and compomer with bonding agent and tooth preparation (P < 0.01).

Microleakage is similar when sealant with acid etching, and compomer with acid etching and bonding agent, are used with and without enameloplasty. Marginal gap is more evident in the compomer group with bonding agent and without enameloplasty. Enamel fissure penetration is better when enameloplasty and acid etching are used.