An in vitro study of wet-bonding fissure sealant micro-leakage (Embrace)

It has been shown that bonding agents reduce the sealant micro-leakage especially after salivary contamination. This study attempts to evaluate the effect of a bonding agent (Single-Bond) and salivary contamination on a sealant micro-leakage (Embrace). In this study a wet-bonding sealant (Embrace) was used in 64 sound human premolars after being etched with 35% phosphoric acid. The sealant micro-leakage was investigated under four different conditions: 1) Saliva + Bonding, 2) with bonding alone, 3) with saliva and 4) sealant alone. After thermocycling process, the teeth were covered with wax & nail polish except for 1-1.5 mm around the sealant. The samples were rinsed after immersed in 0.5% basic - fushin solution for 24 hours. Two buccolingual sections were prepared from central and proximal areas of the crowns. The micro-leakage was assessed according to the degree of dye penetration around the sealants. Dye penetration occurred in 5 cases of group 3 which was more than other groups. In the first group, 8 cases had a score more than 1, one less than the other groups. The Kruskal-Wallis test did not show any significant statistical differences between the groups. The use of a bonding agent, prior to application of a Wet-bonding fissure sealant, does not have a significant effect on the micro-leakage of Embrace Sealant in isolated or saliva contaminated conditions.