SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE AND MICROHARDNESS EVALUATION OF GIC SEALANT APPLICATION AFTER DIFFERENT ENAMEL TREATMENT PROCEDURES

Purpose: the aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the effect of a high fluoride containing glass ionomer sealant (gic) material (fuji triage/gc europe n.v) on the hardness of the fissure enamel and its adaptation by implementing different surface preparation techniques to increase its retention. material and methods: eighty freshly extracted non-carious human molar teeth were divided into four groups: (gp1) air-abrasion was applied mach 4.1 (kreativ inc, usa) then fissures were conditioned with 20 % polyacrylic acid (cavity conditioner/ gc europe n.v) and sealed with fuji triage; (gp2) er,cr:ysgg laser were applied (biolase tech., san clemente, usa) then fissures were conditioned with 20 % polyacrylic acid and sealed with fuji triage; (gp 3) 20% polyacrylic acid application and fissures sealed with fuji triage; (gp4) no pretreatment. material was directly applied (control). teeth were left in artificial saliva for three months. then samples were sectioned buccolingually and micro-hardness measurements were carried out using vickers apparatus. three samples out of each treatment group was examined in scanning electron microscope at x75 and x500 magnifications. results: scanning electron microscope images illustrated better adaptation of the glass ionomer cement material to the fissures when applied after laser treatment. conclusion: this in vitro study showed that treating enamel with laser or air abrasion before the glass ionomer sealant application effected adhesion to enamel and gic with higher fluoride content seemed to improve enamel hardness of the fissure enamel.