Effect of silver diamine fluoride on adhesion and microleakage of a pit and fissure sealant to tooth enamel: in vitro trial

Aim To identify the effect of silver diamine fluoride in adhesion and microleakage of a pit and fissure sealant to tooth enamel. Methods An in vitro study including 120 human molars without caries, and caries grade 1 was performed. Molars were randomly divided into four groups. Occlusal surfaces of groups 2 and 4 were sealed. In groups 1 and 3 silver diamine fluoride (SDF) was placed in the occlusal surface and then molars were sealed according to manufacturer’s instructions. Afterwards, all groups were submitted to the adhesion test. Groups 1 and 2 were placed in a forming cylinder and their roots were submerged in polymethyl methacrylate after that they were stored in deionised water (37 °C ± 1). Subsequently, they were tested by applying a tractional load (Instron machine, speed cross of 1 mm/min). Sealant adhesion was evaluated through: Resistance to the detachment (MPa), residues of sealant area (mm 2 ) and adhesive remaining index (ARI) (0–3 interval). Microleakage test: Groups 3 and 4 were placed in a plastic container and subjected to 2000 cycles at different temperatures one at 6 °C ± 1 and the other at 60 °C ± 1. Later the occlusal surface was immersed for 24 h in 1% toluidine blue. Microleakage was observed by optical microscopy (10×) and was interpreted in micrometres. Results Of the samples without SDF 18.1 and 23.0% of the sealant remaining and of the samples with SDF present 100% of sealant remaining on enamel. Samples with SDF obtained an average in the test of detachment of 6.89 ± 3.09 MPa, whereas in the group without SDF the average obtained was 6.42 ± 3.35 MPa. Differences were not statistically significant ( p = 0.579). Most of the samples not treated with SDF (81.6%) showed microleakage than those treated with SDF in which 47% presented microleakage. Conclusions There is an improvement in the retention properties of a fissure sealant applied after treatment with silver diamine fluoride. The application of fissure sealant to improve the aesthetics of teeth treated with SDF is recommended.