Research
In
vitro and In vivo Evaluation of Clear Sealants
I.F. Stannard,
R.A. Stannard and S.R. Stannard
IADR - New Orleans, LA USA
(2007)
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.
