The effect of salivary contamination on fissure sealant--enamel bond strength

The effect of accidental salivary contamination on the retention of fissure sealants is investigated via in vitro bond tests and scanning electron microscopy. The strength of the bond between sealant and saliva contaminated and washed enamel (168 +/- 14 kg cm-2) is not found to be significantly different from the bond strength to uncontaminated enamel (174 +/- kg cm-2). Unwashed contaminated enamel gives significantly reduced bond strength (68 +/- 11 kg cm-2).