Wear behavior of different materials used for pit and fissure sealing

To evaluate the wear of different materials used for pit and fissure sealing applied with non-invasive and invasive preparation techniques.

A total of 170 molar teeth were divided into two main preparation groups (non-invasive and invasive), each consisting of eight subgroups after a control group was separated for wear standardization. Eight subgroups included: nano-filled flowable composite (Filtek Ultimate Flow), nanohybrid flowable composite (GrandioSo Flow), micro-hybrid flowable composite (Majesty Flow), resin-based unfilled fissure sealant (ClinPro Sealant), resin-based filled fissure sealant (Fissurit FX), resin-based highly filled fissure sealant (GrandioSeal), giomer-based fissure sealant (BeautiSealant), and glass-ionomer-based fissure sealant (Fuji Triage) (n= 10). The materials were applied according to the manufacturers' instructions. The initial data were obtained for wear analysis. The specimens were subjected to 2-year thermocycling and brushing simulations. Final data were obtained, and the wear characteristics were evaluated digitally. Data were statistically analyzed (P< 0.05).

There were no significant differences in wear between the non-invasive and invasive application groups (P< 0.05). In comparison of the materials, flowable composites presented the lowest wear (0.15 P± 0.13), and glass-ionomer-based fissure sealant presented the highest wear (0.66 P± 0.32).

The present study reported that the invasive preparation technique, which slightly abrades the enamel surfaces, did not adversely affect the wear of the sealant materials. Although the application of flowable composites as fissure sealants with a bonding agent is time-consuming and costly, it yielded better results in terms of wear.