Acid-etched and erbium:yttrium aluminium garnet laser-treated enamel for fissure sealants: a comparison of microleakage

Comparative Evaluation of Penetrative and Adaptive Properties of Unfilled and Filled Resin-Based Sealants When Placed using Conventional acid Etching, Lasing, and Fissurotomy Bur Technique of Enamel Preparation: An in vitro Scanning Electron Microscope Study

Background

There is a confusion regarding selection of unfilled or filled sealant and method of enamel preparation before sealant application. This study was carried out to compare three techniques of enamel preparation using both unfilled and filled type of sealants.

Objective

The objective of the study is to assess the penetrative and adaptive ability of filled and unfilled sealants in three techniques of enamel fissure preparations.

Materials and Methods

Total 36 extracted teeth were divided into 3 groups, each containing 12 samples. The samples of Group A were prepared by conventional acid etching with 37% phosphoric acid, and the Group B was subjected to Er: YAG lasing, while in Group C, fissurotomy followed by acid etching was done. The sealant placement was carried out using split tooth design in all the samples. Assessment of penetration and adaptation was done under scanning electron microscope using the scoring criteria adopted by Kane B et al. and Dukic W et al.

Results

Group A and Group C showed better adaptation than Group B. Statistically, no significant difference was observed in the penetration property among three techniques. Similarly, the unfilled and filled sealant showed statistically nonsignificant results for the penetration and adaptation comparison.

Conclusion

Irrespective of the sealant material selected, the conventional method of acid etching alone or in conjunction with fissurotomy bur for better retentiveness seems to be an acceptable choice of treatment modality. The study will help the clinicians to choose the sealant material and technique of enamel preparation.

An In Vitro Microleakage Study for Comparative Analysis of Two Types of Resin-based Sealants Placed by Using Three Different Types of Techniques of Enamel Preparation

BACKGROUND

Clinicians always experience dilemmas while choosing the type of pit and fissure sealant and the method of enamel preparation before the application of sealant. This study was accomplished using the unfilled and filled types of resin sealant deploying three different techniques of enamel preparation.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE

To do a comparative analysis of unfilled and filled sealants by deploying three techniques of enamel preparation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The total number of 60 extracted teeth were divided into 3 groups, each containing 20 samples. Conventional acid etching of enamel was labeled as (group I), laser application as (group II), and fissurotomy bur (group III). The samples of group I were prepared by conventional acid etching, the group II was subjected to Er:YAG lasing, while in group III fissurotomy followed by acid etching was done. The sealant placement was done using split tooth design in all the samples. Dye penetration using 5% methylene blue was used for microleakage assessment.

RESULTS

The highest microleakage was found with Gr. II whereas Gr. I exhibited the least microleakage. No statistical difference was observed between the unfilled and filled sealant (p = 0.652).

CONCLUSION

Conventional acid etching alone or with fissurotomy weighed up appropriate option regardless of the type of sealant material used.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

In regard to the selection of material and proper technique of enamel preparation, this study will be useful to clinicians.

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

Shingare P, Chaugule V. An In Vitro Microleakage Study for Comparative Analysis of Two Types of Resin-based Sealants Placed by Using Three Different Types of Techniques of Enamel Preparation. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(4):475-481.

Clinical success rate of fissure sealants: one-year follow-up

Purpose:

The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical success rate of resin-based fissure sealants applied at Istanbul University, Department of Pediatric Dentistry after 1 year of application.

Materials and methods:

Children with at least one pair of caries-free permanent first molars with deep pits and fissures were included in the study. The ages of children ranged from 7-13 (mean age: 9.2±1.22). Resin-based fissure sealant was applied to the 322 fissures of the first permanent molars in 100 children. 12 months after the application, children were recalled for examination. Recall examinations were carried out by the same dentist. Fissure sealants were evaluated at 12th month by using Ryge criteria: Retention (R), precence of caries (PC), marginal adaptation (MA), marginal discoloration (MD) and cracking (C).

Results:

12 months after the application, all of the children were recalled and fissure sealants were examinated. Our findigs are: R: Alpha 95 (29.5%), Bravo: 143 (44.4%), Charlie: 84 (26%); PC: Alpha 274, Bravo 48 (14.9%); MD: Alpha 322; MA: Alpha 279, Bravo 43 (13.3%); C: Alpha 321, Bravo 1 (0.3%).

Conclusion:

The preventive effects of the sealant are only maintained as long as it remains completely intact and bonded in place. After applying fissure sealants, patients must be recalled and sealants must be checked to provide retention and marginal adaptation.

Effect of Erbium Laser on Microtensile Bond Strength of Fissure Sealant in Primary Teeth: An in vitro Study

Background:

Laser etching has several advantages as compared with conventional acid etching. However, results of earlier studies on conditioning surfaces with erbium, chromium:yttrium–scandium–gallium–garnet (Er, Cr:YSGG) before application of the fissure sealant have been inconclusive.

Aim:

The study aimed to evaluate the microtensile strength of resin-based fissure sealant bonded to primary enamel conditioned by Er, Cr:YSGG laser with varying power outputs.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty sound primary first molars were randomized into the following five groups based on pretreatment choice: Group 1: 3.5 W laser etching + acid etching; Group 2: 2.5 W laser etching + acid etching; Group 3: 3.5 W laser etching with no acid; Group 4: 2.5 W laser etching with no acid and Group 5: acid etching with no laser. Acid etch was performed with 35% orthophosphoric acid for 30 s. Laser etching was performed with Er, Cr:YSGG (2780 nm) laser using G6 tips and 600 μm diameter, 2.5 W or 3.5 W power outputs, pulse duration of 140 μs and a repetition rate of 20 Hz. Sealant was applied on the buccal surface followed by an incremental buildup with composite resin. Microtensile bond strength was assessed and compared among the five groups using one- and two-way ANOVA.

Results:

There was no statistical difference in the mean bond strength between groups except in Group 4 (9.66 MPa) (Group 1: 15.57 MPa; Group 2: 14.18 MPa; Group 3: 14.78 MPa; Group 5: 14.63 MPa).

Conclusion:

Pretreatment with 3.5 W Er, Cr:YSGG laser alone results in microtensile bond strengths similar to that produced by acid etching, indicating that enamel etching using 3.5 W Er, Cr:YSGG laser would result in the long-term success of pit and fissure sealants in primary teeth.

A comparative evaluation of retention of pit and fissure sealants placed with conventional acid etching and Er,Cr:YSGG laser etching: A randomised controlled trial

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the retention rates of sealant placed either with conventional acid etching or Er,Cr:YSGG laser pretreatment of enamel surface. Materials and methods: This is a prospective, single blind randomised controlled clinical trial enrolling 200 permanent first molars in 50 patients, aged 6-12 years for sealant placement. Study followed split mouth design where each side of the arch was randomly allocated to the two treatment group. Group A(Acid etch group): 37 % phosphoric acid (Scotchbond, 3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany) was applied for 15 seconds, rinsed with water for 20 seconds and then air-dried using air spray. Group L(Laser etch group): Fissures were prepared with an Er,Cr:YSGG laser system (Waterlase, BIOLASE Technology, San Clemente, CA, USA) emitting photons at a wavelength of 2.78 µm. Laser irradiation at 1.5 W (60% air and 40% water), in a noncontact mode, with a repetition rate of 20 Hz for 10seconds was used. Pit and fissure sealant (3M ESPE, Clinpro) was applied and cured for 20 seconds. One blinded, calibrated examiner, who was unaware of which preparation method has been used and who was not involved in the treatment procedures, evaluated the sealant at baseline and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 month follow-up visits. Results: It was observed that overall retention rate in group A was slightly higher as compared to group L at all time periods, however, the difference was statistically non-significant (p-value>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Er,Cr:YSGG laser etching is comparable to acid etching in terms of retention and patient acceptability.

Characterisation and microleakage of a new hydrophilic fissure sealant - UltraSeal XT® hydro™

Objectives

The aim of this study was to characterise the new hydrophilic fissure sealant, UltraSeal XT^® hydro™ (Ultradent Products, USA), and to investigate its in vitro resistance to microleakage after placement on conventionally acid etched and sequentially lased and acid etched molars.

Material and Methods

The sealant was characterised by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and Vickers indentation test. Occlusal surfaces of extracted human molars were either conventionally acid etched (n=10), or sequentially acid etched and laser irradiated (n=10). UltraSeal XT^® hydro™ was applied to both groups of teeth which were then subjected to 2,500 thermocycles between 5 and 55°C prior to microleakage assessment by fuchsin dye penetration.

Results

UltraSeal XT^® hydro™ is an acrylate-based sealant that achieved a degree of conversion of 50.6±2.2% and a Vickers microhardness of 24.2±1.5 under standard light curing (1,000 mWcm^-2 for 20 s). Fluoride ion release is negligible within a 14-day period. SEM and EDX analyses indicated that the sealant comprises irregular submicron and nano-sized silicon-, barium-, and aluminium-bearing filler phases embedded in a ductile matrix. Laser preconditioning was found to significantly reduce microleakage (Mann-Whitney U test, p<0.001). The lased teeth presented enhanced surface roughness on a 50 to 100 μm scale that caused the segregation and concentration of the filler particles at the enamel-sealant interface.

Conclusion

Laser preconditioning significantly decreased microleakage and increased enamel surface roughness, which caused zoning of the filler particles at the enamel-sealant interface.

The impact of Er:YAG laser enamel conditioning on the microleakage of a new hydrophilic sealant--UltraSeal XT hydro

UltraSeal XT® hydro™ is a new hydrophilic, light-cured, methacrylate-based pit and fissure sealant which has been developed by Ultradent Products, USA. The sealant is highly filled with a 53 wt.% mixture of inorganic particles which confer both thixotropy and radiopacity. The principal purpose of this study was to investigate the microleakage of UltraSeal XT® hydro™ as a function of different enamel etching techniques. The occlusal surfaces of sound, extracted human molars were either acid etched, Er:YAG laser irradiated or successively laser irradiated and acid etched. UltraSeal XT® hydro™ was applied to each group of teeth (n = 10) which were subjected to a thermocycling process consisting of 2500 cycles between 5 and 50 °C with a dwell time of 30 s. Microleakage assessments were then carried out using 0.5 % fuchsin dye and optical microscopy. The microleakage score data were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis, Mann–Whitney U test with Bonferroni adjustment. No significant differences in microleakage were noted between the individually acid etched and laser-irradiated groups (p > 0.05); however, teeth treated with a combination of laser irradiation and acid etching demonstrated significantly lower microleakage scores (p < 0.001). Electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis revealed that the mineral filler component of UltraSeal XT® hydro™ essentially comprises micrometre-sized particles of inorganic silicon-, aluminium- and barium-bearing phases. Laser etching increases the roughness of the enamel surface which causes a concentrated zoning of the filler particles at the enamel-sealant interface.

Types of Lasers and Their Applications in Pediatric Dentistry

Laser technology has been recently introduced into the dental field with the idea to replace drilling. Having a less painful first dental experience by the use of modern instruments like laser can be an efficient preventive and therapeutic strategy in pediatric dentistry. Pedodontists need to learn the new less invasive technologies and adopt them in their routine practice. This study aimed to review the available types of lasers and their applications in pediatric dentistry. An electronic search was carried out in IranMedex, InterScience, Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, ProQuest, Medline and Google Scholar databases to find relevant articles published from 2000 to 2014. Relevant textbooks were reviewed as well. Laser can be used as a suitable alternative to many conventional diagnostic and therapeutic dental procedures. It is especially efficient for caries detection and removal, pulp therapy, lowering the risk of infection, inflammation and swelling and reducing bleeding. On the other hand, due to minimal invasion, laser treatment is well tolerated by children. Improved patient cooperation leads to higher satisfaction of the parents, dentists and the children themselves.

Microtensile bond strength of a resin-based fissure sealant to Er,Cr:YSGG laser-etched primary enamel

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser pre-treatment alone, or associated with acid-etching, on the microtensile bond strength of a resin-based fissure sealant to primary enamel. Twenty-five human primary molars were randomly divided into five groups including (1) 35 % acid etching, (2) 2.5-W laser etching, (3) 3.5-W laser etching, (4) 2.5-W laser etching + acid etching, and (5) 3.5-W laser etching + acid etching. Er,Cr:YSGG laser was used at a wavelength of 2.780 nm and pulse duration of 140-200 μs with a repetition rate of 20 Hz. Following surface pre-treatment, the fissure sealant (ClinPro™, 3M Dental Products) was applied. Each tooth was sectioned and subjected to microtensile testing. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analysis. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. The microtensile bond strength values of group 1 were significantly higher than those of group 2, while no statistically significant difference was detected between groups 1, 3, 4, and 5. It was concluded that 3.5-W laser etching produced results comparable to conventional acid etching technique, whereas 2.5-W laser etching was not able to yield adequate bonding performance.

Enamel pretreatment with Er:YAG laser: effects on the microleakage of fissure sealant in fluorosed teeth

Objectives

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microleakage and penetration of fissure sealant in permanent molar teeth with fluorosis after pretreatment of the occlusal surface.

Materials and Methods

A total of 120 third molars with mild dental fluorosis were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 20). The tooth surfaces were sealed with an unfilled resin fissure sealant (FS) material. The experimental groups included: 1) phosphoric acid etching (AE) + FS (control); 2) AE + One-Step Plus (OS, Bisco) + FS; 3) bur + AE + FS; 4) bur + AE + OS + FS; 5) Er:YAG laser + AE + FS; and 6) Er:YAG laser + AE + OS + FS. After thermocycling, the teeth were immersed in 0.5% fuchsin and sectioned. Proportions of mircoleakage (PM) and unfilled area (PUA) were measured by digital microscope.

Results

Overall, there were significant differences among all groups in the PM (p = 0.00). Group 3 showed the greatest PM, and was significantly different from groups 2 to 6 (p < 0.05). Group 6 showed the lowest PM. Pretreatment with Er:YAG with or without adhesive led to less PM than bur pretreatment. There were no significant differences among groups in PUA.

Conclusions

Conventional acid etching provided a similar degree of occlusal seal in teeth with fluorosis compared to those pretreated with a bur or Er:YAG laser. Pretreatment of pits and fissures with Er:YAG in teeth with fluorosis may be an alternative method before fissure sealant application.

Comparison of Acid Versus Laser Etching on the Clinical Performance of a Fissure Sealant: 24-Month Results

Objective

To compare the clinical performance of a pit and fissure sealant placed with the use of different enamel preparation methods, i.e. acid or Er,Cr:YSGG laser etching, over 24 months.

Methods

Sixteen subjects (15 female, 1 male) with no restorations or sealant present on their fissures and no detectable caries participated. Using a table of random numbers, a total of 112 sealants (56 with acid-etching, 56 with laser etching) were placed on the permanent premolar and molar teeth. All restorative procedures except for application of the laser were performed by the same dentist. After completion of the fissure preparation either with acid or laser, the adhesive was applied; then a pit and fissure sealant, Clinpro Sealant, was placed and polymerized. Clinical evaluations were done at baseline and at 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month follow-up visits by two calibrated examiners, who were unaware of which etching method had been used. The retention of sealants and caries were evaluated with the aid of a dental explorer and an intra-oral mirror. Each sealant was evaluated using the following criteria: 1=completely retained; 2= partial loss; 3= total loss. The Pearson chi-square test was used to evaluate differences in the retention rates among the sealants used with different etching methods.

Results

All patients attended the 24-month follow-up visit and all sealants were evaluated (total recall rate 100%). At the end of 24 months, 83.9% of the sealants from laser group and 85.7% of those from acid-etch group were recorded as “completely retained”. There were no statistically significant differences in retention rates among the preparation methods after all evaluation periods (p&gt;0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between the retention rates of premolar and molars at each evaluation period. No secondary caries was detected in association with any sealants. Conclusion: The clinical performance of fissure sealants placed after acid or Er,Cr:YSGG laser etching was similar.

Assessment and comparison of microleakage of a fluoride-releasing sealant after acid etching and Er: YAG laser treatment - An in vitro study

Aim:

The aim of the present study was to estimate and compare the microleakage of a pit and fissure sealant after etching and Er:YAG laser treatment.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty non-carious premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons were equally divided into two groups. Samples in Group- I were treated with 37% phosphoric acid. Samples in Group II were irradiated with Er: YAG laser at 400 mJ at 4 Hz. Sealant was placed and light cured. Then, the samples were subjected to thermocycling. The samples were then immersed in 1% methylene blue. The samples were sectioned and examined under stereomicroscope at ×10 magnification.

Results:

Acid etched samples showed significantly less microleakage when compared to laser etching and it was statistically significant (P<0.01).

Removal of organic debris with Er:YAG laser irradiation and microleakage of fissures sealants in vitro

The current study was conducted to improve fissure sealing by pre-treatment with Er:YAG laser irradiation in order to remove organic debris. The surface morphology, surface roughness of fissure cavities, and the degree of microleakage after laser treatment were compared with those after bristle brush treatment in vitro. Sixty extracted human teeth were used in this study. The teeth were randomly divided into two groups of 30 each. Artificial fissures were prepared in all teeth into which artificial organic debris was placed. The debris in 30 teeth of one group was removed by means of Er:YAG laser system and the remaining 30 teeth were cleaned using a bristle brush with prophylaxis paste. Surface morphology and surface roughness of were analyzed in ten samples from each group by color laser three-dimensional (3D) microscopy and by scanning electron microscopic examination. The remaining samples were then filled with sealant and subjected to a microleakage test under thermocycling. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test; a value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. Morphologically, most of the debris was removed by Er:YAG laser treatment, whereas some fissures were not cleaned by bristle brush. However, microleakage test of both laser and etched brush methods showed similar results. Laser technique might facilitate good adaptation of resin sealant to enamel, because of an increase in surface roughness and favorable surface characteristics.

Effects of Er:YAG laser and air abrasion on the microleakage of a resin-based fissure sealant material

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different surface pre-treatment techniques on the microleakage of a resin-based fissure sealant material.

METHODS

Thirty-five molars were divided into the following seven groups based on the surface pre-treatment technique used: (a) Erbium: Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Er:YAG) laser (7 W); (b) Er:YAG laser (7 W)+acid etching (with 37% phosphoric acid); (c) Er:YAG laser (5.5 W); (d) Er:YAG laser (5.5 W)+acid etching; (e) air abrasion+acid etching; (f) air abrasion; and (g) conventional acid etching. The sealant was placed according to the manufacturers' instructions and light-cured for 20 sec. The sealed teeth were thermocycled for 10,000 cycles (5°-55°C), then immersed in 5% methylene blue for 24 h and sectioned mesiodistally. Each section was analyzed and photographed using a light microscope. Microleakage was assessed quantitatively by the degree of dye penetration and also qualitatively, scored on a three-point rating scale. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Kruskal-Wallis test. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Regardless of the fissure morphology and penetration depth, enamel surfaces conditioned with Er:YAG laser irradiation exhibited significantly higher microleakage than those conditioned with air abrasion followed by acid etching, and those conditioned with conventional acid etching (p < 0.05). Air abrasion followed by acid etching, as well as conventional acid etching, provided a sufficient seal, whereas laser irradiation alone or in combination with acid etching exhibited higher microleakage than did the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Conventional acid etching remains the most effective and the simplest technique.

Comparison of microleakage of three adhesive systems in class V composite restorations prepared with Er,Cr:YSGG laser

OBJECTIVE

This study compared microleakage of three adhesives in class V (CI V) composite restorations prepared with Er,Cr:YSGG laser.

BACKGROUND DATA

Changes produced on enamel and dentin surfaces subsequent to laser irradiation influence microleakage of composite restorations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CI V cavities were prepared in 80 sound extracted human premolars with Er,Cr:YSGG laser. The teeth were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 20). In group 1, a total-etch adhesive was used, and two-step and one-step self-etch adhesives were used in groups 2 and 3, respectively. Group 4 was the control group with no adhesives. Following restoration and thermocycling, microleakage was evaluated. To compare microleakage in occlusal and gingival margins in each group, the Wilcoxon test was used. Kruskal-Wallis analysis was used for comparison of occlusal and gingival microleakage, and two-by-two comparisons were made using the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in microleakage between occlusal and gingival margins in each group except for the control group. Significant differences were observed in occlusal and gingival microleakage among all the groups. Two-by-two comparisons revealed significant differences in occlusal microleakage between the control group and the other groups. There were significant differences in gingival microleakage between groups 1 and 2 and groups 1 and 3; however, differences in gingival microleakage between groups 2 and 3 were not significant.

CONCLUSION

With all the adhesives, microleakage was significantly higher in gingival margins compared with occlusal margins. In occlusal margins, there were no significant differences in microleakage among the three adhesives. In gingival margins, self-etch adhesives revealed less microleakage than the total-etch adhesive.

The effect of erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet laser etching on marginal integrity of a resin-based fissure sealant in primary teeth

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser pretreatment alone, or associated with acid etching, on the quality of marginal integrity (microleakage and marginal gap) of a resin-based fissure sealant in primary teeth. Fifty sound primary molar teeth were randomly assigned to one of five study groups, pretreated as follows: (1) 35% orthophosphoric acid etching; (2) 2.5 W laser etching; (3) 3.5 W laser etching; (4) 2.5 W laser + 35% orthophosphoric acid etching; (5) 3.5 W laser + 35% orthophosphoric acid etching. After surface pretreatment, a resin-based sealant (ClinPro) was applied to the fissures. Sample teeth were then subjected to thermocycling and stored thereafter in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 1 month. Following immersion in 0.5% basic fuchsin solution for 24 h, three bucco-lingual slices of each sample tooth were scored under a stereo-microscope. Statistical analysis was performed with Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson chi-square tests. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Microleakage scores of group 1 were significantly less than those of groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.05), whereas no statistically significant difference was observed between groups 1, 4 and 5 (P > 0.05). In terms of marginal gap formation, no significant difference was observed between groups (P > 0.05). It was concluded that Er,Cr:YSGG laser etching did not eliminate the need for acid etching. When combined with acid etching, Er,Cr:YSGG laser seems to be as effective as conventional acid etching.

Microleakage of resin-based sealants after Er:YAG laser conditioning

The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the effects of Er:YAG laser pretreatment procedures in fissure sealing. The fissures of 90 third molars were prepared in the mesial halves with Er:YAG laser (lambda = 2,940 nm, 250 mJ/pulse, 4 Hz, fluence 32 J/cm(2)) and acid etched. They were randomly assigned to three groups, and the fissures in the distal halves were prepared differently according to the group: acid etching alone, bur and etching or Er:YAG laser alone. The fissures were sealed using Clinpro sealant (3M). The extent of microleakage was measured with a digital-image analyzer. The sealants prepared with Er:YAG laser alone displayed greater microleakage than the others (p < 0.05). Er:YAG laser irradiation does not eliminate the need for etching the enamel surface before sealing.

Effect of enamel preparation method on in vitro marginal microleakage of a flowable composite used as pit and fissure sealant

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microleakage in occlusal surfaces, after preparation with Er:YAG laser and compared to the diamond-bur conventional technique.

METHODS

Thirty premolars were divided into three groups: I - high-speed handpiece + 37% phosphoric acid; II - Er:YAG laser (350 mJ, 4 Hz and 112 J/cm(2)) + 37% phosphoric acid; and III - Er:YAG laser (350 mJ, 4 Hz and 112 J/cm(2)) + Er:YAG laser (80 mJ, 4 Hz, and 25 mJ/cm(2)). All cavities received the same adhesive system and were restored with flowable composite according to manufacturer's instructions. Teeth were submitted to thermal cycling and immersed in 50% silver nitrate solutions for 8 h in total darkness. Specimens were sectioned longitudinally in the bucco-lingual direction, in slices of 1 mm thick. Each slice was immersed into photo developing solution and was photographed, and microleakage was scored from 0 to 7, by three calibrated examiners.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference (P < 0.0001) was observed between Er:YAG laser prepared and etched specimens and those in the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

It can be concluded that no significant difference was noted between the two types of enamel preparation when etching was performed. Preparing and treating the enamel surface exclusively by Er:YAG laser resulted in the highest degree of leakage.