| Introduction. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether more highly filled resin sealants, bonded to enamel surfaces, subjected to mechanical tooth brush abrasion and simulated mouth fluids remain on the teeth better than lesser filled resin sealants. A secondary purpose was to evaluate whether an acid solution (pH 2.5) had an effect on the sealant retention. Methods. A sample of 120 teeth was randomly divided into six subsamples. Three experimental sealants with identical formulas with the exception of the amount of filler content (18%, 30%, 50%) were created by a product manufacturer. The sealant material contained a fluorescing agent that was visible under black light conditions. Half of the samples were exposed to an acid solution at a pH of 2.5 for 96 hours. The entire sample was exposed to 15,000 repetitions at 280g of pressure in a tooth brushing simulator, while a slurry of 1:3 toothpaste/neutral sodium bicarbonate cycled through the machine. Initial and final photographs were taken and analyzed subjectively and objectively. Scanning electron microscope photomicrographs were used to evaluate the tooth surface. Results. The subjective analysis resulted in significant (p<0.05) differences between the sealant groups. The 18% filled group showed the least change, followed by the 30% filled group, and the 50% filled group, which showed the greatest sealant loss. The objective analyses showed that the 18%, 30% and 50% groups lost sealant over the course of the experiment, but there was not a significant difference noted between the groups. There also was not a significant difference between the groups treated with acid and those which were not. The SEMs showed a layer of sealant remaining on the sealed teeth in all groups and acid etching of the unprotected tooth. Conclusions: Filler content of resin sealant materials has an effect on retention while the acid environment did not. Within the limits of this study, highly filled resin sealants have the ability to endure the oral environment and remain on the tooth surface, regardless of the amount of filler content. |
