ABSTRACT
A large number of investigations have revealed that physical and chemical alterations and weight loss could occur in composite materials exposed to acidic phosphate fluoride [APF] gel. The purpose of this study was to assess the microleakage of a fissure sealant and a flow composite exposed to acidulated phosphate fluoride [APF] gel. In this in vitro study, 60 intact human extracted premolar teeth were used. After preparing the occlusal groove, the teeth were divided into two groups [n=30]. Teeth were filled with either Helioseal fissure sealant [Vivadent, Germany] or Tetric flow composite [Vivadent, Germany]. After that, each group was divided into two subgroups [n=15]: 1.23% APF gel [Sultan, U.S.A] was applied in the case subgroups, while control subgroups were preserved in normal saline solution. All of teeth were covered with 2 layers of nail varnish except for the filling zone and 1mm around the border of filling. After submerging in 0.5% fushin solution, specimens were sectioned bucco-lingually. Then dye penetration through the filling and fissure sealant was assessed by means of a stereo-microscope. The depth of dye penetration was scored. The data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA and Levene test. The mean values of dye penetration were 1.26 +/- 1.09, 1.4 +/- 1.05, 1.2 +/- 1.37, and 1.4 +/- 1.35 for fissure sealant+gel, composite+gel, composite+normal saline, and normal saline groups, respectively. No significant difference was found in inter-groups [P=0.96]. Considering the result of the present research, APF gel had no significant effect on the microleakage of Tetric flow composite filling and Helioseal fissure sealant and thus, it can be applied for routine usage