The effect of antibacterial agents on fissure sealant microleakage: a 6-month in vitro study

To evaluate microleakage from an antibacterial adhesive and bonding agent added to the ssure sealant on intact enamel.

One hundred twenty sound third mandibular molars were randomly divided into 6 groups of 20 teeth each. Occlusal pits and ssures were sealed with un lled sealant material (Clinpro, 3M) after pretreatment with 1. phosphoric acid etching (control); 2. acid etching + Adper Single Bond 2 (SB, 3M); 3. chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX, Ultradent) + acid etching; 4. CHX + acid etching + SB; 5. acid etching + Clear l Protect Bond (CPB, Kuraray) 6. CPB alone. After 6-month water storage and thermocycling, the specimens were placed in 0.5% fuschin, sectioned and evaluated under a digital microscope. The data were compared between groups with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests.

Differences between groups were statistically signi cant at P < 0.05. Acid etching alone and with SB showed the lowest microleakage, followed by acid etching + CPB. Chlorhexidine with and without bonding agent showed the greatest microleakage.

Conventional acid etching alone or with a one-bottle adhesive were the two most effective methods of reducing microleakage from ssures. Acid etching together with a self-etching adhesive showed better results than self-etching alone. Appling CHX increased microleakage in sealed teeth.