Comparison of shear strength, fracture patterns, and microleakage among unfilled, filled, and fluoride-releasing sealants.

The resins used in sealants are Bis-GMA and urethane dimethacrylate diluted with appropriate dimethacrylate resins. 8,9 Recently, inorganic fillers have been added to sealants to allow the materials to be both esthetically pleasing and more visible clinically. 1°,11 As a result, the issue of proper polymer tag formation that is essential for sealant retention becomes important,a, 1113 Although fluoride-releasing sealants are believed to enhance clinical effectiveness, 14,15 evaluations should be conducted to determine whether their bonding characteristics are similar to those of conventional pit and fissure sealants. The purpose of this study was to compare unfilled, filled, and fluoride-releasing filled sealants to each other through shear bond, scanning electron microscope, and microleakage evaluations.