ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the penetration of an infiltrant and a sealant, when applied as recommended, into fissure caries lesions. METHODS: The fissure systems of extracted human teeth were classified according to the international caries detection and assessment system (ICDAS, codes: 0, 1, 2). Within each ICDAS-code ten teeth were either etched with 37% H3PO4-gel for 60s and subsequently sealed ('Fissure Sealing'; Helioseal; Ivoclar Vivadent) or etched with 15% HCl-gel for 120s and subsequently infiltrated ('Resin Infiltration'; Icon; DMG). Additionally, ten teeth with ICDAS-code 2 were etched with 37% H3PO4-gel for 120s and infiltrated ('Soft-Etch-Infiltration'). Specimens were cut perpendicular to their surfaces, polished, and confocal microscopic images were obtained. Lesion depths (LDmax) and penetration depths (PDmax) were measured and percentage penetration was calculated as PPmax=PDmax/LDmax×100. RESULTS: Baseline LDmax [median (interquartile range)] for ICDAS-code 2 lesions was 1192 (805-1512)µm. In ICDAS-code 2 lesions PPmax was significantly higher for specimens treated with 'Resin Infiltration' [41 (30-78)%] compared to 'Soft-Etch-Infiltration' [11 (0-21)%] or 'Fissure Sealing' [5 (0-9)%] (p<0.05; Mann-Whitney test). PPmax did not differ significantly between groups in ICDAS-code 0 and 1 lesions (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The fissure sealant when applied after etching with H3PO4-gel only penetrates superficially into non-cavitated fissure caries lesions. Penetration of an infiltrant is superior in particular after etching with HCl-gel. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Compared with sealing, infiltration of fissure caries lesions leads to more deeply infiltrated lesions, which might in turn result in superior abilities to hamper caries progression.
