Microleakage of pit and fissure sealings placed after enamel conditioning with phosphoric acid or with self-etching primers/adhesives.

BACKGROUND: It is still not fully understood what pretreatment is best for achieving maximum tightness for pit and fissure sealings (PFS). AIM: This study investigated microleakage of PFS placed after etching with phosphoric acid or after the application of self-etching primers/adhesives (SEPA). DESIGN: 131 third molars were assigned to ten groups. In Hel-P, Helioseal(R) was applied after phosphoric acid etching. In the other groups, SEPA were used (Dyr-AP: Adper Prompt L-Pop, Dyract(R) Seal; Bea: BeautiSealant Primer and Paste; Hel-Exp: Experimental primer, Helioseal(R); Hel-Cl: Clearfil SE Bond(1) , Helioseal(R)). Specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C (28 days), followed by 3500 thermocycles and staining with 5% methylene blue (M) or 5% silver nitrate (S). After methylene blue staining and sectioning, microleakage was assessed light microscopically. During silver nitrate staining, specimens were dissolved by 32% HCl and remaining PFS were evaluated under a SEM. RESULTS: Tightness, percentage of penetrated area, and maximum dye penetration were best for Hel-P and Hel-Cl (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Phosphoric acid etching of enamel and Clearfil SE Bond resulted in the best sealing quality. Methylene blue staining allowed the evaluation of more criteria (fissure shape, voids, sealant penetration depth) compared to silver nitrate.