Evaluation of Remineralizing Ability and Mechanical Properties of Two Fluoride Rechargeable Fissure Sealants in Primary Molars: An In vitro Study

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to assess the remineralizing ability, microleakage and flexural strength of resin-based and bioactive-based sealants in primary teeth.Methods: Thirty-two exfoliated second primary molars were prepared and sealed with one of the following materials: BeautiSealant and Helioseal F plus. Sixteen samples were subjected to a pH-cycling model (7 days of demineralization-remineralization cycles). Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) were used to assess the remineralizing abilities before and after the studied sealants applied. The other (16) samples were subjected to a thermocycling model to assess the microleakage after sealants application. Flexural strength for each sealant material was also assessed following the ISO 4049 protocols using a Universal Testing Machine. Data were collected, tabulated then statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) program Windows (Standard version 22).Results: After sealants application, the mean weight percentages of calcium (32.4,32.8), phosphate (15.7,16.6) and fluoride (13.6,14.02) showed a significant increase for Helioseal F and BeautiSealant respectively compared with baseline values. The mean Calcium/ Phosphate ratio (Ca/P) for Helioseal F plus was 2.163 and 1.796 for BeautiSealant after sealant application with no statistical significance difference was found. On the other hand, Helioseal F plus showed higher significance difference than BeautiSealant in flexural strength test. Conclusion:The bioactive giomer glass ionomer-based sealants could be used successfully as alternative to resin-based sealants as they showed comparable remineralizing ability and mechanical properties.