Explore the vast range of titles available.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of pit and fissure sealant mixed with silver nanoparticles on dental caries, by means of monthly measurement of fluorescence with DIAGNOdent over six months. Study Design: This study was divided in two phases: experimental and clinical. In the experimental phase, the adhesion and microleakage of the pit and fissure sealant experiment were evaluated. Two groups of 10 teeth, without serious carious lesions, were included. Conventional (group A) and silver nanoparticles (group B) were added to the pit and fissure sealant. For the clinical phase, a split-mouth study was performed on 40 children aged 6-10 years old with healthy, erupted permanent first molars. A conventional pit and fissure sealant or a silver nanoparticle-mixed sealant was randomly placed. Repeated measures analysis was performed. Results: Conventional sealant presented an average microleakage of 30.6%, and the silver nanoparticle-mixed sealant showed 33.6% (P=NS). A three times greater reduction in fluorescence was found in the silver nanoparticles group compared to the conventional group (P<0.05). No sex- or age-based associations were found. Conclusions: The silver nanoparticle-mixed sealant reduced tooth demineralization significantly and likely increased remineralization, compared to the conventional sealant.

The aim of this ex vivo study was to evaluate the infiltration capability and rate of microleakage of a low-viscous resin infiltrantcombined with a flowable composite resin （RI/CR） when used with deproteinised and etched occlusal subsurface lesions（International Caries Detection and Assessment System code 2）. This combined treatment procedure was compared with theexclusive use of flowable composite resin （CR） for fissure sealing. Twenty premolars and 20 molars revealing non-cavitatedocclusal carious lesions were randomly divided into two groups and were meticulously cleaned and deproteinised using NaOCI（2%）. After etching with HCI （15%）, 10 premolar and 10 molar lesions were infiltrated （Icon/DMG; rhodamine B isothiocyanate（RITC）-Iabelled） followed by fissure sealing （G-zenial FIo/GC; experimental group, RI/CR）. In the control group （CR）, the cariousfissures were only sealed. Specimens were cut perpendicular to the occlusal surface and through the area of the highestdemineralisation （DIAGNOdent pen, KaVo）. Using confocal laser-scanning microscopy, the specimens were assessed withregard to the percentage of caries infiltration, marginal adaption and internal integrity. Within the CR group, the cariouslesions were not infiltrated. Both premolar （57.9%± 23.1%） and molar lesions （35.3% ± 22.1%） of the RI/CR group wereuniformly infiltrated to a substantial extent, albeit with significant differences （P= 0.034）. Moreover, microleakage （n= 1） andthe occurrence of voids （n= 2） were reduced in the RI/CR group compared with the CR group （5 and 17 specimens,respectively）. The RI/CR approach increases the initial quality of fissure sealing and is recommended for the clinical controlof occlusal caries.

The hypotheses tested were: survival rate of fully and partially retained glass-carbomer sealants is higher than those of high-viscosity glass-ionomer, with and without energy supplied, and that of resin composite; survival rate of fully and partially retained sealants of high-viscosity glass-ionomer with energy supplied is higher than those without energy supplied. The randomized clinical trial covered 407 children, with a mean age of 8 years. The evaluation took place after 0.5, 1 and 2 years. Survival of sealant material in occlusal and in smooth surfaces, using the traditional categorization (fully and partially retained versus completely lost sealants) and the modified categorization (fully and more than 2/3 of the sealant retained versus completely lost sealants), were dependent variables. The Kaplan–Meier survival method was used. According to both categorizations of partially retained sealants, the survival of completely and partially retained resin composite sealants in occlusal and in smooth tooth surfaces was statistically significantly higher, and those of glass-carbomer sealants lower, than those of sealants of the other three groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the survival rates of completely and partially retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer sealants with and without energy supplied in occlusal and in smooth surfaces. After 2 years, glass-carbomer sealant retention was the poorest, adding energy to high-viscosity glass-ionomer sealant did not increase the retention rate and resin composite sealants were retained the longest. We suggest the use of the modified categorization of partially retained sealants in future studies. It seems not necessary to cure high-viscosity glass-ionomer sealants. The use of glass-carbomer sealants cannot be recommended yet.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the remineralization activation of the application of three fissure sealants (FSs), alone or with gaseous ozone (GO), on non-cavitated initial caries and evaluate the clinical success of FS. Study design: Sixty children who had DIAGNOdent scores between 10–30 on bilateral symmetric mandibular first permanent molars were included in study. In a split-mouth design, teeth were assigned to experimental (with GO) and control (without GO) groups. GO was applied to teeth on one side and then the same brand of randomly selected FSs was applied to the teeth on both sides. Children were divided into 3 groups based on type of FS (Group 1: Aegis Bosworth Co, North Hamlin Avenue Skokie, Illinois, USA, Group 2: Fuji Triage GC, Tokyo, Japan, Group 3: Helioseal Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein, Germany). All FSs were then examined for retention rates at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months; at the end of 12 months, all FSs were removed with an air-abrasion device and DIAGNOdent scores noted to compare with the initial values. Results: The application of GO with either Fuji Triage or Aegis FS was effective on remineralization (p<0.05); however, the application of Helioseal FSs was not effective (p>0.05). The 1st and 12th months’ full retention rates of Fuji Triage FSs was a significant difference (p<0.05) from other FSs (Aegis and Helioseal) (p>0.05). Conclusions: GO+Aegis FS showed the highest remineralization; and, at the end of 12 months, its clinical success was higher than other FSs.

Objectives The null-hypothesis tested was that there was no difference in the frequency of remnants of high-viscosity glass-ionomer sealants left behind in pits and fissures of occlusal surfaces of first permanent molars and that of resin composite and glass-carbomer sealants. Materials and methods Based on the results of a sealant trial, a sample of sealed teeth from which the material had apparently completely disappeared from at least one of the three sections into which the occlusal surface was divided, assessed through visible clinical examination, was also assessed from images of colour photographs and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) as the reference image. The sample size consisted of 112 and 120 teeth from 59 and 98 children at evaluation years 2 and 3 respectively. Two examiners performed the assessments. Fisher’s Exact Test was applied to test for the differences between the dependent variable and the sealant groups. Results The remnants of sealant material left in the deeper parts of pits and fissures were assessed from colour photograph and SEM images in five sections at year 2 and in eight sections at year 3. The assessment found no sealant group effect. Conclusion The frequency of remnants of glass-ionomer sealant in pits and fissures of occlusal surfaces in first permanent molars is not higher than the frequency of glass-carbomer and resin sealants after 2 and 3 years. Clinical relevance Contrary to the current assumption, there appears to be no significant difference in the frequency of remnants left behind in pits and fissures between glass-ionomer and resin sealants.

Background The relative performance of ART sealant and fluoride-releasing resin sealant in preventing fissure caries in permanent molars was compared in a randomized clinical trial conducted in southern China (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01829334). Methods After obtaining ethical approval, healthy schoolchildren who had permanent first molars with occlusal fissures which were sound but deep or presented with only incipient caries were recruited for the study. Included molars were randomly allocated into one of four parallel study groups in units of left/right teeth per mouth. Two of the four groups adopted the methods of ART or fluoride-releasing resin sealant placement while the other two groups adopted the topical fluoride application methods. Fissure status of the molars in each group was evaluated every 6 months. Development of dentine caries and sealant retention over 24 months in the molars in the two sealant-using groups was compared in this report. Outcome on cost-effectiveness of all four groups over 36 months will be reported elsewhere. Results At baseline, a total of 280 children (383 molars) with mean age 7.8 years were involved for the two sealant groups. After 24 months, 261 children (357 molars) were followed. Proportions of molars with dentine caries were 7.3% and 3.9% in the ART sealant and fluoride-releasing resin sealant groups, respectively (chi-square test, p = 0.171). Life-table survival analysis showed that sealant retention (full and partial) rate over 24 months for the resin sealant (73%) was significantly higher than that (50%) for the ART sealant (p < 0.001). Molar survival (no development of dentine caries) rates in the ART sealant (93%) and fluoride-releasing resin sealant (96%) groups were not significantly different (p = 0.169). Multilevel logistic regression (GEE modeling) accounting for the effects of data clustering and confounding factors confirmed this finding. Conclusions Though the retention of fluoride-releasing resin sealant was better than that of the ART sealant, their effectiveness in preventing fissure caries in permanent molars did not differ significantly over 24 months. ART sealants could be a good alternative when and where resources for resin sealant placement are not readily available.

Objectives Fissure sealings offer nearly complete protection against fissure caries, provided that they are adequately applied, for composite-based sealants with sufficient moisture control. This is not always attainable, particularly in children with low compliance. To counter this problem, a moisture-tolerant sealant has been developed. The present randomised clinical trial compared such a moisture-tolerant material (Embrace) with a conventional sealant (Helioseal). Material and methods In 55 participants (mean age, 10 ± 3 years), corresponding molar pairs were sealed with either Embrace or Helioseal. Retention, quality of sealing, and caries were clinically examined, both tactilely and visually, immediately and after 1 year. Results After 1 year, 93 % of Helioseal sealings were complete, whereas 60 % of Embrace sealings showed partial and 13 % complete loss. The surface quality of Embrace was significantly worse than that of Helioseal. After the use of Embrace, the sealant margin was noticeable as a slight (distinct) step in 36 % (15 %). The visual (tactile) examination showed a rough surface in 78 % (33 %) in the case of Embrace. The Helioseal surfaces were shiny (smooth) in all cases (all differences between Helioseal and Embrace, p  ≤ 0.001). Caries was found only after the use of Embrace (4 %, n.s. compared to Helioseal). Conclusion The moisture-tolerant material Embrace was distinctly inferior to Helioseal because Embrace showed weaknesses in retention and surface quality. Clinical relevance Even if a moisture-tolerant sealant would be desirable in particular for children with low compliance, the tested material does not represent an alternative to the standard preparation.

Background Sealant application during fixed appliances orthodontic treatment for enamel protection is common, however, reliable data on its durability in vivo are rare. Objective This study aims at assessing the durability of a sealant (OpalSeal, Ultradent) for protection against white-spot lesion formation in orthodontic patients over 26 weeks in vivo, taking into account the provision or absence of an adequate oral hygiene. We tested the null hypothesis of (1) no significant abatement of the sealant after 26 weeks in fixed orthodontic treatment compared to baseline, and (2) no significant influence of the factor of brushing and oral hygiene (as screened by approximal plaque index, API) on the abatement of the sealant. Methods Integrity and abatement of OpalSeal applicated directly following bracketing was assessed in thirty-six consecutive patients (n teeth  = 796) undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (male/female12/24; mean age/SD 14.4/1.33 Y). Assessment of the fluorescing sealant preservation was by a black-light lamp, using a classification that was concepted in analogy to the ARI index: (3, sealant completely preserved; 2= > 50% preserved; 1 = <50%; 0 = no sealant observable) immediately following application (Baseline, T0), after 2 (T1), 8 (T2), 14 (T3), 20 (T4) and 26 weeks (T5). API was assessed at T0 and T1. Statistical analysis was by non-parametric repeated measures ANOVA (α = 5%, power >80%). Results At baseline, 43.4% of teeth had a positive API. Oral hygiene deteriorated after bracketing (T1, 53%) significantly. Null hypothesis (1) was rejected, while (2) was accepted: Mean values of both the well brushed and non-brushed anterior teeth undercut the score “1” at T3 (week 14). Despite a slightly better preservation of the sealer before and after T3 in not-sufficiently brushed (API-positive) teeth, this finding was statistically not significant. Conclusion One single application of OpalSeal is unlikely to last throughout the entire fixed appliance treatment stage. On average, re-application of the sealant can be expected to be necessary after 3.5 months (week 14) in treatment.

This study examined the effects of a widely used (Delton Pit & Fissure Sealant - Light Cure Opaque, DENTSPLY Professional, York, PA) pit and fissure sealant material on bisphenol A (BPA) levels in blood and saliva, among both low and high-dose groups over time. A convenience sample of 30 adults from the Old Dominion University population were randomly and evenly divided into 2 independent variable groups: a low-dose group (1 occlusal sealant application) and high-dose group (4 occlusal sealant applications). A 2 group, time series design was used to examine the presence and concentration of BPA in serum and saliva after sealant placement. Differences comparing low-dose and high-dose groups were examined 1 hour prior (baseline), 1 hour post, 3 hours post and 24 hours after sealant placement, as measured by a direct-competitive BPA Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA). Hypothesized outcomes were evaluated by applying a parametric, 2 way ANOVA for repeated measures technique to data on the 30 participants ranging in age from 18 to 40 years, and were of mixed gender and ethnicity. BPA was detected in the saliva of all participants prior to sealant placement and ranged from 0.07 to 6.00 ng/ml at baseline. Salivary BPA concentration levels peaked over a 3 hour period following sealant placement and returned to baseline levels within 24 hours. BPA was significantly elevated at all post-sealant placement time periods for both the low-dose (1 occlusal sealant application) and high-dose (4 occlusal sealant applications) groups with peak levels of 3.98 ng/ml and 9.08 ng/ml, respectively. The blood serum did not contain BPA at any point in this investigation. Exposure to BPA from sources other than dental resins contributes to salivary baseline concentration levels and indicates environmental exposure and use of products containing BPA. Use of specific molecular formulations of dental sealant material determines the release of BPA, therefore, dental sealant materials should be reviewed independently when questioning the release of BPA from dental sealants. In addition, dosage amounts of the dental sealant material used in this study do not influence the serum concentration levels of BPA. Further research is needed to examine the cumulative estrogenic effects of BPA from dental sealants.

Background This study aimed to develop ion-releasing and antibacterial resin-based dental sealants comprising 3 to 6 wt% monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM, M), 3 to 6 wt% bioactive glass (BAG, B), and 3 to 6 wt% polylysine (PLS, P). The physical properties, mechanical performance, cytotoxicity, and inhibition of S. mutans biofilm by these materials were subsequently evaluated. Methods Five experimental dental sealants were formulated as follows: F1 (M6B6P6), F2 (M6B6P3), F3 (M3B3P6), F4 (M3B3P3), and F5 (M0B0P0, serving as the control). ClinproXT (CP, 3 M, Saint Paul, MN, USA) was used for commercial comparison. The degree of monomer conversion (DC) was determined using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy ( n  = 5). The biaxial flexural strength ( n  = 6) and Vickers surface microhardness ( n  = 5) of the materials were evaluated after a 24-hour immersion in water. The element release over 4 weeks was measured using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) ( n  = 3). The cell viability of mouse fibrosarcoma cells exposed to the extract was assessed via an MTT assay ( n  = 3). Additionally, the inhibition of S. mutans biofilm was tested ( n  = 3). Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test. Results The lowest DC among experimental sealants was obtained from F1 (66 ± 4%), which was significantly higher than CP (54 ± 2%, p  < 0.001). The lowest biaxial flexural strength was obtained from F3 (131 ± 47 MPa). This was comparable to that of CP (140 ± 58 MPa, p  = 0.992). The lowest surface microhardness among experimental materials was detected with F2 (19 ± 2 Vickers hardness number), which was higher than that of CP (12 ± 1 Vickers hardness number, p  = 0.003). Furthermore, high cell viability of > 90% after exposure to extracts from the experimental materials was detected, which was similar to that observed with CP. Additionally, the experimental materials exhibited higher Ca and P release compared to CP and showed a potential trend for reducing S. mutans biofilm formation. Increasing additive concentrations exhibited minimal effects on material properties, except for enhanced elemental release and a slight reduction in BFM with higher PLS content. Conclusion The experimental sealants provided sufficient physical and mechanical strength and maintained cell viability and bacterial inhibition with higher elemental release than the commercial product.