• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.472-480
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effective penetration methods of acid etching agents in the pit and fissures on the occlusal surface. Extracted maxillary first and second premolars were divided into 4 groups : to Group I only acid etching agent was applied, to Group II ultrasonic scaler as well as acid etching agent were applied, to Group III after fissurotomy acid etching agent was applied, and to Group IV after fissurotomy the same process performed with Group II. The comparison between the 4 groups by the use of scanning electron microscope showed the results as follows : 1. Comparing each groups with regard to the penetration rate(%) of acid etching agents, Group III and Group IV showed improved penetration rate(%) compared with Group I. Group II made no significant different results from Group I, but had somewhat better penetration rate(%). 2. Comparing each groups with regard to the penetration rate(%) of acid etching agents according to regions within fissures, Group III and Group IV showed more improved penetration rate than Group I in the mesial pit and distal pit. However, no significant difference between each groups was showed in the middle fissure.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.164-173
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• 2005

Mechanical preparation has been introduced to provide the sealant retention. The objective of this study was to compare the fissure penetration and the microleakage of pit and fissure sealant using mechanical preparation(mechanical preparation + acid etching) and acid etching only. An additional objective of this study was to compare the fissure penetration and the microleakage of unfilled and filled sealant in both methods. Sixty human premolars extracted for orthodontic purpose were selected. Thirty teeth were acid etched alone and remaining thirty teeth were prepared with a $\frac{1}{4}$ round bur and then acid etched. One-half of teeth in each surface treatment method were sealed with unfilled sealant and the other half were sealed with filled sealant. All of the teeth were thermocycled for 1200 cycles at $5^{\circ}C\;and\;55^{\circ}C$ and immersed in 5% methylene blue for 24 hours. Each tooth was sectioned bucco-lingually at mesial pit and distal pit and examined under a Measurescope. In the case of mechanical preparation, fissure penetration of sealant was significantly increased compared with the case of acid etching only(P < 0.05). The filled and unfilled sealant using mechanical preparation showed significantly decreased microleakage when compared with the unfilled sealant using acid etching only(P < 0.05). No differences were found in fissure penetration and microleakage between unfilled and filled sealant in both methods. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that mechanical preparation and filled sealant are recommended when placing pit and fissure sealant. However, further clinical studies should be performed in regard to microleakage.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.336-347
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• 2006

Pit and fissure sealants has been proven as safe and effective method of caries prevention. But improper application of pit and fissure sealant may masking the caries process in occlusal fissure. Dentists have to understand the correct and exact application method of pit and fissure sealant for he good result of caries prevention. A key factor to enhanced the effectiveness of caries prevention is retention of pit and fissure sealant. Deep penetration of material into fissure and least marginal leakage around the fissure orifice are the major concerns for dentists to achieve the successive application of pit and fissure sealants. This paper reviewed the literature on the pit and fissure sealants under the following subtitles for enhanced retention : (1) application timing, (2) Indication, (3) Occlusal prophylaxis, (4) Materials, (5) Penetration, (5) Recall check Dental profession must perform the exact application of pit and fissure sealant because this procedure is one of the most technique-sensitive one in dental field.