Microleakage at sealant/enamel interface of primary teeth: effect of Er:YAG laser ablation of pits and fissures.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess microleakage at sealant/enamel interface after treatment of primary teeth occlusal surfaces with 3 etching techniques. METHODS: Thirty sound primary molars were randomly assigned to 3 groups (N = 10): (1) group I = acid etching for 30 seconds; (2) group II = Er:YAG laser (120 mJ; 4 Hz) plus acid-etching; and (3) group III = Er:YAG laser (120 mJ; 4 Hz). Pits and fissures were sealed with a resin-based sealant (Fluroshield, Dentsply/Caulk). Teeth were isolated, thermocycled, immersed in a 0.2% rhodamine B solution for 24 hours, and serially sectioned. Cuts were analyzed for leakage using an optical microscope connected to a video camera. The images were digitized, and a specific software (Axion Vision) assessed microleakage quantitatively (millimeters). The sealant extension on buccal/lingual cusp heights was measured separately, and the percentage of dye penetration along enamel/sealant interface, in relation to the sealant extension, was calculated. Means of dye penetration were: (1) group I = 2%(+/- 3.75); (2) group II = 2%(+/- 3.38); and (3) group III = 4%(+/- 6.26). Data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference (P < .05) was observed between the nonetched lased specimens (group III) and those in the other groups. No significant difference (P >.05) was found between the acid-etched and lased/acid-etched groups (I and II). Fissures prepared with Er:YAG laser alone showed the highest degree of microleakage. All specimens exhibted some degree of leakage. CONCLUSIONS: Laser irradiation did not eliminate the need for acid etching enamel prior to the placement of a pit-and-fissure sealant. The ablation of pits and fissures with an Er:YAG laser device did not yield significantly better marginal sealing at primary enamel/sealant interface, compared to conventional acid etching.

In vitro osteogenesis on fluorcanasite glass-ceramic with three different chemical compositions.

This study aimed at investigating in vitro osteogenesis on three fluorcanasite glass-ceramic compositions with different solubilities (K3, K5, and K8). Osteoblastic cells were obtained from human alveolar bone fragments and cultured under standard osteogenic condition until subconfluence. First passage cells were cultured on K3, K5, and K8 and on Bioglass((R)) 45S5 (45S5-control). Cell adhesion was evaluated at 24 h. For proliferation and viability, cells were cultured for 1, 4, and 10 days. Total protein content and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were measured at 7, 14, and 21 days. Cultures were stained with Alizarin red at 21 days, for detection of mineralized matrix. Data were compared by ANOVA followed by Duncan's test. Cell adhesion, cell proliferation, viability, total protein content, and ALP activity were not affected by fluorcanasite glass-ceramic composition and solubility. Bone-like formation was similar on all fluorcanasite glass-ceramics and was reduced compared to 45S5. The changes in the chemical composition and consequently solubility of the fluorcanasite glass-ceramics tested here did not significantly alter the in vitro osteogenesis. Further modifications of the chemical composition of the fluorcanasite glass-ceramic would be required to improve bone response, making this biomaterial a good candidate to be employed as a bone substitute.