Marginal microleakage of triage sealant under different moisture contamination.

PURPOSE: Glass ionomer sealants (GISs) are promoted in pediatric dentistry for their moisture-friendly properties. This study's purpose was to investigate the marginal leakage of a glass ionomer sealant (Fuji Triage) under different moisture environments. METHODS: Eighty extracted teeth were distributed into 4 groups: (1) control; (2) saliva contamination with 1-second air-thinning; (3) saliva contamination with 10 seconds of air-drying; and (4) saliva contamination with reconditioning. Sealants were placed after contamination. All extracted teeth underwent thermocycling followed by 1% methylene blue dye and distilled water wash. All extracted teeth were then sectioned buccolingually into 3 cross-sections and examined at 60X under a stereomicroscope. Microleakage was assessed using a dye penetration scoring system (score=0-3). Data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: The control group showed significantly lower marginal leakage than the other 3 groups (P<.02). There was no statistically significant difference among the 3 contaminated groups (P>.34). CONCLUSIONS: Fuji Triage sealant had the least marginal leakage under a moisture-controlled environment. When saliva was introduced during the application of the material, microleakage significantly increased. When contamination occurred, 1-second air-thinning of the saliva, 10-second air-drying of the saliva, or reconditioning before sealant application did not show a difference in decreasing microleakage.