LABORATORY EVALUATION OF A SELF-ADHERING FLOWABLE COMPOSITE RESIN AS A PIT AND FISSURE SEALANT

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The success of pit and fissure sealant is highly dependent on obtaining and maintaining an intimate adaptation to the tooth surface. Self-adherable flowable composite (Vertise Flow) represents a new generation of dental materials that combines the properties of flowable composites and self-adhesives. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the Vertise Flow (VF) in term of shear bond strength and sealing ability to enamel of pit and fissure in comparison to conventional sealant with self-adhesive (Clinpro sealant/ Adper Prompt L pop) MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty extracted sound premolars were selected. These were randomly divided into two groups according to the material used. Group I for Veritse Flow and Group II for Clinpro Sealant. Each group was further divided equally into two sub groups (n=15). GroupI was divided into Ia and Ib to test shear bond strength and microleakage respectively. Group II was divided into IIa and IIb to test shear bond strength and microleakage respectively. Shear bond strength test: Group Ia buccal surface was treated with phosphoric acid and VF. Group IIa was treated with Clinpro sealant and Adper Prompt L Pop. Shear bond strength was measured using universal testing machine. Mode of failure of each specimen was determined using stereomicroscope. Microleakage test: Group Ib, teeth pit and fissures were acid etched and sealed with VF. Group IIb, Adper Prompt L Pop was applied and teeth were sealed with Clinpro sealant. Teeth were thermocycled, stained, sectioned and examined under stereomicroscope. Data were collected, tabulated and statistically analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test (p<0.05). RESULTS: Group I (VF) showed significantly higher shear bond strength and lower microleakage score than Group II (Clinpro sealant/PLP) (p<0.05). adhesive mode of failure was the predominant mode in group IIa with statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Vertise Flow shows encouraging results to be used as a pit and fissure sealant.