Effect of saliva contamination on the sealing properties of glass ionomer sealants placed over Er,Cr:YSGG laser-etched fissures

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ABSTRACT

Aim

This study investigated the effect of laser pretreatment in reducing the microleakage of conventional (GIC) and resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGIC) sealants on saliva-contaminated enamel.

Methods

Study Design: 80 extracted non-carious third molars were randomly assigned to two groups (n=40/each): Group A enamel pretreatment with erbium, chromium:yttrium, scandium, gallium, garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser; and Group B no pretreatment. Each group was divided into two subgroups (n=20/each) based on presence/absence of saliva contamination following laser pretreatment. In subgroups: fissures were sealed with GIC (n=10) or RMGIC (n=10). Microleakage was evaluated quantitatively using an image analysis toolkit (ImageJ), and the data were statistically analysed.

Results

In the absence of laser pretreatment, the GIC sealant demonstrated significantly lower microleakage values than RMGIC counterparts on both uncontaminated and saliva-contaminated enamel (p<0.001, Mann–Whitney U test).

Conclusion

Among the tested combinations, GIC sealant with Er,Cr:YSGG pretreatment may be the best approach for sealing pits and fissures, when saliva contamination is inevitable before sealant application.

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