Porosity of pit and fissure sealants

The aim of this study was to investigate the bulk porosity of a range of pit and fissure sealants. The following materials were included in the study: Concise White Sealant and Delton (chemically cured); Delton (visible light-cured); Helioseal, Visioseal and Prolite (visible light-cured with delivery from the bottle via cannule); Delton, Luma Seal and Prisma Shield (visible light-cured with syringe-type direct delivery systems). Five cylindrical samples, 7 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness, were prepared from each sealant and the following parameters were analysed in a computer-controlled mercury porosimeter: (i) total cumulative pore volume; (ii) specific surface area of pores; (iii) percentage total porosity (iv) bulk density; and (v) pore radius distribution. According to the results, the chemically cured sealants exhibited total cumulative pore volume, specific surface area of pores and total porosity. Significant differences were detected within the group of visible light-cured materials. The visible light-cured sealants with syringe-type delivery exhibited the lowest porosity.