Evaluation of the sealant in orthodontic bonding

In the two-paste self-polymerizing orthodontic bonding systems, sealants are routinely used to protect enamel, to decrease marginal leakage, to enhance bond strength, and to increase interfacial permeability for the etched enamel, the bonding resin, and the bracket base. However, some studies have questioned the need for the sealant. Bond strengths with and without sealants in orthodontic bonding were compared in this study. The results indicated no statistical differences between the tensile bond strengths of the two evaluated groups. The distributions of debonding interface between groups were similar and also had no statistical difference. This study therefore indicated that use of the sealant in the two-paste orthodontic bonding system for enhanced strength is unnecessary. However, the use of a sealant may offer extra protection to the enamel during debonding procedures.