Evaluation of Microleakage of Different Types of Pit and Fissure Sealants: An In Vitro Comparative Study

Abstract

Aim: Compare and evaluate the microleakage of different types of pit and fissure sealants, 3M ESPE Clinpro, GC Fuji Triage Capsule, and 3M ESPE Filtek Z350 XT.

Materials and methods: A total of 54 freshly extracted maxillary and mandibular premolar teeth were used and randomly divided into three groups of 18 teeth each, and the following pit and fissure sealants were used: group I-Clinpro, group II-GC Fuji Triage Capsule, and group III-Filtek Z350 XT. Samples underwent thermocycling at 5° and 55°C with a dwell time of 10 seconds for 250 cycles. The apices of the teeth were sealed with impression compound, and two coats of fingernail polish were applied and immersed in 5% methylene blue dye for 24 hours and then sectioned. The sectioned specimens were then analyzed at 4× magnification under a stereomicroscope for dye penetration and were evaluated based on Williams and Winters' criteria.

Results: The data were collected for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics included mean, standard deviation (SD), frequency, and percentage. Inferential statistics included the Chi-squared test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the post hoc Tukey's test. The level of significance was set at 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval, and the results revealed that the mean difference of the sealants was GC Fuji Triage (2.1667), Clinpro (0.7778), and Filtek Z350 XT (0.1667).

Conclusion: Filtek Z350 XT exhibited the least microleakage when compared to Clinpro and GC Fuji Triage, with their mean difference statistically significant. Hence, Filtek Z350 XT can be a promising sealant and a restorative material.

How to cite this article: Prabahar T, Chowdhary N, Konkappa KN, et al. Evaluation of Microleakage of Different Types of Pit and Fissure Sealants: An In Vitro Comparative Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(5):535-540.

Keywords: 3M ESPE Clinpro; Filtek Z350 XT (3M ESPE); GC Fuji Triage capsule; Microleakage; Pit and fissure sealants.

Fig. 1

Tooth samples used in the study

Fig. 2

Sealants used in the study

Fig. 3

Samples with impression compound

Fig. 4

Tooth samples after immersion in methylene blue dye

Fig. 5

Prepared samples after sectioning with a diamond disc

Fig. 6

Score 0—no dye penetration

Fig. 7

Score 1—dye penetration up to one-third of fissure total height

Fig. 8

Score 2—dye penetration between one-third and two-thirds of fissure total height

Fig. 9

Score 3—dye penetration between two-thirds and total height of fissure

Fig. 10

Shows the amount of dye penetration scores in percentage

Fig. 11

Shows the mean differences of microleakage among the three groups and it revealed that the least microleakage is seen in 3M ESPE Filtek Z350 XT, followed by 3M ESPE Clinpro, and GC Fuji Triage capsule