Evaluation of microleakage and remineralization potential of A fissure sealant containing microcapsules on artificial enamel lesions

Within the concept of minimal invasive dentistry, the progression of initial caries lesions can be inhibited with preventive measures. The aim of this study is to evaluate the microleakage and remineralization potential of a bioactive fissure sealant on artificial caries lesions. For microleakage experiments; 40 extracted human molar teeth were collected; demineralized and divided into 4 groups (n:10); fissures were sealed with bioactive and conventional fissure sealants; half of the sealant groups had pretreated with a universal adhesive. All samples were submitted to thermocycling process (5000 cycles) and scored after dye penetration test. For remineralization experiments; 10 extracted human molar teeth were collected (n:40); 4 windows were created on the surfaces of the teeth to be used as; positive and negative control groups; the bioactive and conventional fissure sealant groups; bioactive and conventional fissure sealant groups pretreated with a universal adhesive. After a 30 day dynamic pH cycling process, incisions were made to obtain slices from each window and SEM/EDX analysis was performed at depths of 0 µm, 5 µm, 10 µm, 15 µm ve 20 µm from outer surfaces of enamel towards dentin. For statistical analysis, Mann Whitney U Test was performed to evaluate nonparametric variables between two groups and Kruskal Wallis Test was used for evaluation of more than two groups' variables. Microleakage scoring showed no statistically significant differences between the bioactive and conventional fissure sealant groups. In SEM/EDX analysis, the bioactive fissure sealant group provided statistically significant remineralization at all depths examined (0-20µm) with increasing Ca, P and F levels (p<0,001), while the remineralization efficiency of the conventional fissure sealant group was limited at 0 and 5 µm depths (p<0,05). The use of adhesive systems under fissure sealant therapy did not create a statistically significant difference on microleakage and enamel remineralization. In this study, the use of bioactive fissure sealants on initial caries lesions positively affected enamel remineralization and had prominent impacts on enamel remineralization compared to the other sealant. The study findings should be supported with clinical studies.