Microleakage Assessment of Different Preparation Techniques and Pit and Fissure Sealants in Permanent Molars

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the predisposition of microleakage in permanent molar teeth following different preparation techniques for pits and fissure sealants. METHODS: In this cross-sectional analytical study, a dye penetration method was employed to evaluate microleakage in dental restorations. A total of 104 extracted molars were randomly assigned into two groups and further subdivided into two subgroups based on a class of sealant (filled/unfilled resin) containing 26 teeth each. Teeth in one group were prepared by a conventional method using pumice and acid etching with 37% phosphoric acid, and teeth in the other group were prepared with a 1/4-round carbide bur in a low-speed handpiece and then acid etched. In each group, 26 teeth were sealed with a filled sealant, and 26 teeth with an unfilled sealant. The chi-square test was used for the comparison of microleakage between the groups. RESULTS: Unfilled sealants prepared with bur preparation showed the lowest degree of microleakage. The greater number of teeth (17) showed no microleakage in the group of teeth prepared using the bur preparation technique. Furthermore, in dye penetration analysis, the subgroup of teeth that were filled with unfilled sealants showed a greater number of teeth (57.6%), with zero penetration, and the dye penetration scores were statistically significant among the groups with different preparation techniques (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Teeth whose pits and fissures were prepared through 1/4 carbide bur and filled with unfilled pits and fissure sealants show less microleakage than those prepared with the conventional method and filled with filled sealants. Therefore, the choice of surface preparation technique for pit and fissure sealants can influence the effectiveness of the sealant in preventing microleakage.