Evaluation of the Survival of Fissure Sealants Applied With Different Pretreatment Methods on Permanent First Molars: A One-Year Follow-Up

Sealant application is a preventive conservative approach involving the introduction of sealants into the pits and fissures of caries prone teeth; this sealant then bonds to the tooth micromechanically, providing a physical barrier that keeps bacteria away from their source of nutrients. Acid pretreatment of the enamel to enhance retention is considered a standard procedure prior to the application of resin-based fissure sealants. Currently, the most commonly used phosphoric acid concentrations are 35% and 37%.

Sealant application is a preventive conservative approach involving the introduction of sealants into the pits and fissures of caries prone teeth; this sealant then bonds to the tooth micromechanically, providing a physical barrier that keeps bacteria away from their source of nutrients. Acid pretreatment of the enamel to enhance retention is considered a standard procedure prior to the application of resin-based fissure sealants. Currently, the most commonly used phosphoric acid concentrations are 35% and 37%.

The use of phosphoric acid is a well-accepted, conventional method used to create micro-porosities, which are the key in providing sealant retention. However, organic remnants as well as fissure morphology and aprismatic enamel structure can decrease etching ability and thus prevent adequate adhesion.Conventional phosphoric acid can only demineralize the inorganic component of enamel and cannot completely remove the protein content within the enamel. Some proteins are also embedded within the enamel crystals. The inadequate penetration of resin into enamel may also result from the Type 3 etching pattern observed after conventional etching. Studies have shown that after using sodium hypochlorite to remove enamel proteins, Type 1 and Type 2 etching patterns are more frequently observed. The literature indicates that the enamel deproteinization technique with sodium hypochlorite is an effective method for removing organic material from the occlusal enamel surfaces of teeth.

The use of phosphoric acid is a well-accepted, conventional method used to create micro-porosities, which are the key in providing sealant retention. However, organic remnants as well as fissure morphology and aprismatic enamel structure can decrease etching ability and thus prevent adequate adhesion.Conventional phosphoric acid can only demineralize the inorganic component of enamel and cannot completely remove the protein content within the enamel. Some proteins are also embedded within the enamel crystals. The inadequate penetration of resin into enamel may also result from the Type 3 etching pattern observed after conventional etching. Studies have shown that after using sodium hypochlorite to remove enamel proteins, Type 1 and Type 2 etching patterns are more frequently observed. The literature indicates that the enamel deproteinization technique with sodium hypochlorite is an effective method for removing organic material from the occlusal enamel surfaces of teeth.

The use of phosphoric acid is a well-accepted, conventional method used to create micro-porosities, which are the key in providing sealant retention. However, organic remnants as well as fissure morphology and aprismatic enamel structure can decrease etching ability and thus prevent adequate adhesion.Conventional phosphoric acid can only demineralize the inorganic component of enamel and cannot completely remove the protein content within the enamel. Some proteins are also embedded within the enamel crystals. The inadequate penetration of resin into enamel may also result from the Type 3 etching pattern observed after conventional etching. Studies have shown that after using sodium hypochlorite to remove enamel proteins, Type 1 and Type 2 etching patterns are more frequently observed. The literature indicates that the enamel deproteinization technique with sodium hypochlorite is an effective method for removing organic material from the occlusal enamel surfaces of teeth.

Various methods for preparing fissures, such as pumice prophylaxis, bonding agents, lasers, air abrasion, and sodium hypochlorite deproteinization, have been recommended to improve sealant retention The use of adhesive systems prior to fissure sealant application had a positive effect on increasing penetration and improving the retention rate. It also appears that the use of bonding-agents that involve a separate acid-etching step (fourth and fifth generations) provides better sealant retention than self-etching adhesives (sixth and seventh generations).

Various methods for preparing fissures, such as pumice prophylaxis, bonding agents, lasers, air abrasion, and sodium hypochlorite deproteinization, have been recommended to improve sealant retention The use of adhesive systems prior to fissure sealant application had a positive effect on increasing penetration and improving the retention rate. It also appears that the use of bonding-agents that involve a separate acid-etching step (fourth and fifth generations) provides better sealant retention than self-etching adhesives (sixth and seventh generations).

Various methods for preparing fissures, such as pumice prophylaxis, bonding agents, lasers, air abrasion, and sodium hypochlorite deproteinization, have been recommended to improve sealant retention The use of adhesive systems prior to fissure sealant application had a positive effect on increasing penetration and improving the retention rate. It also appears that the use of bonding-agents that involve a separate acid-etching step (fourth and fifth generations) provides better sealant retention than self-etching adhesives (sixth and seventh generations).