A scanning electron microscopic study of the effect of air polishing on the enamel-sealant surface

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the enamel-sealant interface following the use of standard sealant placement techniques and an air-polishing system. Twenty-five caries-free premolars were extracted and stored in distilled water for 2 days. Five teeth were randomly assigned to each of five treatment groups. The occlusal surface was (1) air polished for 20 seconds, (2) cleaned with pumice for 20 seconds, or (3) not cleaned. Following treatment, 35% orthophosphoric acid was applied for 60 seconds. In two control groups, the acid-etching procedure was eliminated, and one group (4) was air polished for 20 seconds, while the other group (5) was not cleaned. Tinted self-curing sealant was applied to the entire occlusal surface of each tooth. Following the treatment, scanning electron photomicrographs were taken at X 1000 magnification. To evaluate the enamel-resin interface, the number of resin tags were counted by one precalibrated rater. A statistically significant difference was found among the treatment groups and the control groups. Air polishing combined with acid etching resulted in an improved surface for resin wetting as determined by the number of resin tags formed; however, the differences among the treatment groups were not large enough to be statistically significant.