Title:  Comparative evaluation of different techniques of surface preparation for occlusal sealing

Abstract:  Aim Aim of this experiment is the efficacy evaluation of three different types of surface preparation techniques by microleakage assessment of two different sealing materials. Materials and methods Sixty teeth were used for the experiment: half were treated with Admira seal (Voco) and the remaining half with Delton FS+ (Dentsply). Each group was then divided into three subgroups, which underwent three different preparation techniques before sealant placement: mechanical brushing, air abrasion and Intensive bur FG 40D4, respectively. After immersion of the specimens in methylene blue solution, the degree of microleakage was assessed by mean of optic microscope. Results Results show no microleakage in samples treated with air abrasion, followed by the samples treated with mechanical brushing. The teeth prepared by bur treatment before sealant application show a significant number and degree of marginal infiltration. Conclusion It can be concluded that air abrasion technique is able to guarantee a reliable seal of occlusal surfaces.