A Comparative Evaluation of Shear Bond Strength of Embrace Wetbond(TM) Pit and Fissure Sealant with or without the Use of a Universal Dental Adhesive System [Scotchbond(TM) Universal Adhesive] Using Different Bonding Protocols: A Multiparametric In Vitro Study

AIM: To evaluate and compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of Embrace WetBond(TM) (EWS) Pit and Fissure Sealant (PF sealants) with or without the use of a universal dental adhesive system Scotchbond(TM) Universal Adhesive (SBU) using different bonding and curing protocols and to assess and compare the mode of failure as determined by visualization of the fractured surfaces of the test specimens after shear testing under an optical microscope at a magnification of 20×. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 85 samples were prepared for testing SBS on enamel on caries-free, extracted permanent human molars. The specimens were randomly divided into five groups based on different bonding and curing protocols. A knife-edge blade in a universal testing machine was used to perform the SBS test with a crosshead speed of 1 mm/minute. Then the mode of failure was assessed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Results were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance with Tukey's post hoc test and Chi-squared test. A probability value 0.05 (p ≤ 0.01) was regarded as significant. RESULTS: Scotchbond(TM) Universal Adhesive (SBU) in total-etch (TE) mode/etch-and-rinse (ER) mode with individual light curing of the sealant and adhesive showed the highest SBS to enamel (5.40 ± 2.51 MPa). A predominance of cohesive mode of failure was observed for all the test groups. CONCLUSION: Embrace WetBond(TM) (EWS) PF sealants with SBU in the ER mode of application, with either curing mode, can be used as an alternative to a conventional technique for sealant placement for improving interfacial bond strength to enhance sealant retention and efficacy. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Embrace WetBond(TM) (EWS) PF sealants with SBU in the ER mode of application can be used as an alternative to a conventional technique for sealant placement for improving interfacial bond strength. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Swathy SR, Naidu J. A Comparative Evaluation of Shear Bond Strength of Embrace Wetbond(TM) Pit and Fissure Sealant with or without the Use of a Universal Dental Adhesive System [Scotchbond(TM) Universal Adhesive] Using Different Bonding Protocols: A Multiparametric In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(1):48-53.