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In vitro microleakage of a fissure sealant polymerized by either a quartz tungsten halogen curing light or a plasma
Sarah Shah1, Elizabeth M Roebuck, Zoann Nugent
1Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Royal London Dental Hospital, London, UK.
Background:
The benefits of using plasma arc curing lights with their shorter curing times in the management of children are potentially great, provided there are no adverse effects.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate whether the microleakage of a resin-based sealant is influenced by polymerization with either a conventional quartz tungsten halogen or a plasma arc curing light.
Design:
This study took the form of an in vitro randomized control trial. Seventy extracted human first and second permanent premolars and molars were randomly allocated into two groups. Their occlusal surfaces were sealed with a light-cured fissure sealant using either a quartz tungsten halogen curing light or a plasma arc curing light. The teeth were then sectioned, resulting in four surfaces per tooth, which were examined for microleakage under x 15 magnification with a light microscope. The principal unit of analysis was the tooth (worst section score) and not the section microleakage score.
Results:
No statistical significant difference in microleakage scoring between the two groups was demonstrated.
Conclusion:
This study found no difference in the degree of microleakage of fissure sealants polymerized by either light source.