AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE ANTICARIOGENIC EFFECT OF FLUORIDE-RELEASING PIT AND FISSURE SEALANT

불소방출 치면열구전색제의 항우식효과에 관한 실험적 연구

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether fluoride-releasing pit and fissure sealant was more effective in preventing caries than conventional non-fluoride-releasing sealant. Specimens 8mm in diameter were made from sound bovine enamel. Fluoride-releasing pit and fissure sealant(Helioseal F, Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) and non-fluoride-releasing sealant(Helioseal, Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) were applied to the specimens and artificial caries was induced. Microhardness and the depth of the carious lesion was measured. The following results were obtained: 1. In group 2, sealed with fluoride-releasing sealant, there was a 58.4% decrease in microhardness. This was significantly less than the 84.4% decrease observed in group 1, sealed with non-fluoride-releasing sealant(p<0.01). 2. The average depth of the artificial carious lesion in group 2 was $30.1{\pm}9.8{\mu}m$. In group 1, sealed with non-fluoride-releasing sealant, the lesion was significantly deeper with an average depth of $58.5{\pm}4.9{\mu}m$(p<0.01). 3. Fluoride-releasing pit and fissure sealant was more anticariogenic compared to non-fluoride-releasing sealant.