Sealants provide caries prevention. The advent of clear sealants may allow observation of leakage allaying concern about what is happening beneath opaque sealants. Performance of clear sealants in this regard have received little study. Furthermore, caries detecting devices may potentially provide caries detection beneath translucent sealants.

Objectives
To measure physical properties, thickness/clarity relationships of an experimental sealant, AuraVue (AV), Denali; Delton (D), Dentsply; and CosmeSeal (C), CosmeDent, and to determine clinically if the DiagnoDent, Kavo could accurately measure caries after sealant placement. In vitro Methods: Compressive Strength (CS) and Fluoride Release (FR) was measured (ion specific electrode). Results: CS in MPa +/- S.D for AV was 193.3(30.5); D was 214.3(35.6); and C was 217.6(58.8). No statistical difference was found between the materials (p< 0.05). FR for AV was 4.34 ppm over 10 days. Neither D nor C released any fluoride. Thickness/clarity relationship was established for AV. A linear relationship was found between AV thickness and DiagnoDent readings. In vivo Methods: After obtaining informed patient consent, AV was placed in four treatment groups: deciduous teeth having caries, permanent teeth with caries and identified for extraction, placed temporarily (single visit) permanent teeth having caries, and permanent teeth with decay removed. Caries values were measured at pre-treatment, post- treatment, and at patient recalls.

Results
In deciduous teeth, sealed decay was detected 3 months post placement. In the extraction group, decay was detected 1 month after sealant placement. Upon extraction and sectioning, AV had formed a seal and prevented micro leakage upon methylene blue challenge. In permanent teeth, decay when sealed in was measured before removal; after decay removal and sealant restoration, no decay has been detected.

Conclusions
Caries detecting devices can effectively be used clinically with the translucent sealant AuraVue as part of the diagnostic process.

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