Microscopic analyse of sealant penetration in deciduous teeth according to conditioning acid time. Study in vivo

The penetration of Fluorshield sealant was observed in vivo in deciduous teeth enamel, previously conditioned with phosphoric acid at 37% during 30 or 120 seconds by means of polarized light microscopy. Deciduous molars (28) in the process of exfoliation received sealant application according to manufacturer's instruction on the presence of relative isolation and were extracted after 7 days. The crowns were cut into sections and smoothed using fine sandpapers; fragments with thicknesses below 100 mu m were obtained, set in glass lamina and descalcified with nitric acid at 40% until only the sealant and its resinous projections remained. They were covered with distiled water, topped with a small glass lamina, and examined under the microscope. The average values for the lengh tags were 18.75 and 31.97 mu m for 30 and 120 seconds respectively. After analysing these values statistically, it was concluded that the deciduous molars conditioned during 120 seconds showed greater penetration of Fluorshield sealant when compared with 30 seconds of conditioned. When the region of the occlusal pit was examined (superior, middle or inferior) the penetration of the material had the same effect for both time periods. (DBO)