Efficacy of Ion-releasing Pit and Fissure Sealants Compared with Other Modified Pit and Fissure Sealants when Subjected to Heat and Ultrasonic Vibration: An Ex Vivo Comparison.

Background: Pit and fissure sealants are important tools for the prevention of dental caries on the occlusal surfaces, but despite sealing the deep pits and fissures, occlusal dental caries continues to be a major problem due to incomplete penetration and loss of retention of the material, leading to microleakage. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of recently introduced ion-releasing pit and fissure sealants in comparison to fluoride-releasing and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP)-containing sealants in terms of their penetration depth and microleakage when subjected to heat and ultrasonic vibration postsalivary contamination. Study design: An ex vivo comparative study. Materials and methods: One hundred forty-four freshly extracted primary/permanent molars with intact occlusal surfaces were taken and divided into three equal groups (N = 48) based on the type of sealants applied-group 1 (ion-releasing), group 2 (fluoride-releasing), and group 3 (ACP-containing). These groups were further divided into three equal subgroups (n = 16) based on the method of sealant placement-A (conventional), B (heat), and C (ultrasonic vibration). After cleaning the occlusal surfaces, occlusal surfaces were etched and the sealants were applied as per groups and subgroups. Samples were then placed in basic fuchsin dye for 24 hours. The crowns were sectioned and examined under a stereomicroscope for penetration depth and microleakage analysis. Statistical analysis: Kruskal-Wallis test, Dunn's post hoc test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, and Tukey's post hoc test. Results: Ion-releasing pit and fissure sealant (group 1) showed maximum penetration depth and minimum microleakage when subjected to ultrasonic vibration method (p < 0.005). The ultrasonic vibration subgroup exhibited significantly greater penetration into the fissures compared with the other test subgroups (p < 0.005). Conclusion: Ion-releasing pit and fissure sealant (group 1) placed through ultrasonic vibration proved to be the best in terms of maximum penetration depth and minimum microleakage. Clinical relevance: Bioactive pit and fissure sealants provide greater mechanical strength, penetration depth, and least microleakage compared to the other sealants, that is, ACP-containing and fluoride-releasing sealants. Additionally, the sealants can be treated with heat and vibration to increase the material's viscosity, thereby improving its properties. How to cite this article: Gosain N, Kaushik N, Srivastava N, et al. Efficacy of Ion-releasing Pit and Fissure Sealants Compared with Other Modified Pit and Fissure Sealants when Subjected to Heat and Ultrasonic Vibration: An Ex Vivo Comparison. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(7):864-870.