Evaluation of Marginal Microleakage and Depth of Penetration of Different Materials Used as Pit and Fissure Sealants: An In Vitro Study

OBJECTIVE: Fissure sealants hold a great significance in the preclusion of inception of caries process. The present in vitro study assesses the marginal sealing ability and penetration depth of various dental products used as pit and fissure sealants. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty freshly extracted human non-carious premolars were arbitrarily categorized into four groups of 15 samples. Prophylaxis of occlusal surfaces of sample teeth was done with pumice slurry and sealant was applied. Later, the teeth underwent thermocycling and immersion in 5% methylene blue for 24 hours. Sectioning of teeth samples was done buccolingually and they were analyzed under stereomicroscope. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Nonparametric tests Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney were applied to carry out microleakage comparison. The percentage penetration depth was compared using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. Tukey's post hoc test was applied for multiple analogies. RESULTS: Highest microleakage was seen in glass ionomer-based sealant followed by flowable composite and least for classical sealant. Flowable nanocomposite gave comparable results with that of the classical sealant. No statistical difference was found with respect to depth of penetration between different tested materials. CONCLUSION: Flowable nanocomposite can be considered as a promising substitute for sealing fissures and thus can be endorsed to caries-susceptible pediatric patients. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Butail A, Dua P, Mangla R, et al. Evaluation of Marginal Microleakage and Depth of Penetration of Different Materials Used as Pit and Fissure Sealants: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(1):38–42.