• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.29 no.5 s.76
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• pp.589-597
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of fluoride releasing orthodontic sealants, light-cured (Group L1&L2) and self-cured (Group S1&S2) $FluoroBond^{\circledR}$, on enamel microhardness under artificial carious solution in vitro.112 extracted human premolar teeth were collected for experiments and divided into seven groups. A Tukon microhardness tester equipped with a Knoop diamond indenter was employed to determine microhardness. Tukon 23 program converted the number of microhardness into KHN (Knoop hardness number). The results were as follows: 1. The microhardness of enamel depth of all groups were the least at the depth of $50{\mu}m$ and that of all groups except L2 group, the greatest at the depth of $200{\mu}m$, were the greatest at the depth of $300{\mu}m$. And as the enamel depth of all groups except L2 and S2 group increased, the microhardness value also increased. 2. There was a little preventive effect in enamel decalcification both light-and self-cured orthodontic sealant groups, but had no statistical significance between the groups(p>0.05). 3. Light-cured orthodontic sealant groups had a progressive inhibiting effect in enamel decalcification at the depth of $100{\mu}m,150{\mu}m,\;and\;200{\mu}m$ (p<0.05). 4. Self-cured orthodontic sealant groups had a progressive inhibiting effect in enamel decalcification at the depth of $150{\mu}m$ (p<0.05). 5. There was no difference of the anti-enamel demineralization effect between light- and self-cured orthodontic sealant groups (p>0.05).