Conversion degree, microhardness, microleakage and fluoride release of different fissure sealants

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of conversion (DC), microhardness, microleakage and fluoride release of a nano-filled resin based fissure sealant (Grandio Seal, GS) and compare it with an un-filled resin based fissure sealant (Clinpro, CL) and a glass-ionomer based fissure sealant (Fuji Triage, FT). Disk shaped specimens were prepared from tested fissure sealants to determine the DC, Vicker hardness (VHN) and fluoride release (FR). The DC and VHN of each material was evaluated after 24 h. The cumulative fluoride concentrations were evaluated at 1 h, 6 h, 12 h, 1, 7, 15 and 30 days. For microleakage evaluation, fissure sealants were applied to the etched and dried enamel surfaces of sound third molar teeth according to the manufacturer's instructions (n=10). After the thermocycling and mechanical loading procedures, microleakage assessments were carried out. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc Tukey test, the Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test (p<0.05). Results revealed differences regarding DC between all groups: FT (89%) > GS (55.02%) > CL (%51.10) (p<0.05). The VHN values were significantly different among all groups in the following order: GS > FT > CL (p<0.05). FT exhibited significantly higher microleakage scores compared to the CL and GS sealants (p<0.05). The FR of FT was significantly greater than CL and GS (p<0.05). Nano-filled resin based sealant can be used as an alternative to other fissure sealant materials because of its superior hardness results and feasible sealing ability.