Three dimensional evaluation of marginal microleakage at the adhesive interface between different fissure sealants and enamel: Micro-CT analysis

Background/Aim: Sealing ability and adhesion to enamel of fissure sealants are quite critical in prevention of dental caries. The objective of the present study was to assess the marginal microleakage of different material-based pit and fissures with non-invasive and invasive techniques by using the Micro-CT method. Material and Methods: 30 extracted human permanent molars were randomly assigned to three sealant groups (n=10) as resin-based ClinPro, giomer-based BeautiSealant, and glass ionomer-based Fuji IX-GP. Half of each group was randomly divided into two parts as non-invasive and invasive techniques. The volumetric analysis of marginal microleakage between the enamel-material interface was performed by using Micro-CT. The results were analyzed with Student's t, One-Way ANOVA, Tukey and Games-Howell tests. Statistical significance level was considered as 0.05. Results: In non-invasive technique, Fuji IX-GP showed statistically significantly lower marginal microleakage values than Clinpro (p=0.022). Other comparisons were not significant (p>0.05). However, in invasive technique, microleakage values both of Fuji IX-GP and BeautiSealant were significantly lower than Clinpro (p<0.001, p<0.001). Besides, regardless of the sealant material, the invasive technique showed significantly superior results than non-invasive technique regarding marginal microleakage. Conclusions: Considering the clinical conditions, it was concluded that glass ionomer-based Fuji IX-GP and giomer-based BeautiSealant could be used as alternative to resin based sealants. Additionally, invasive technique (fissure preparation) can be recommended to reduce marginal microleakage.