Original Article Effect of Enamel Bonding Agents on Pit and Fissure Sealant Retention in An Isolated Situation Z. Jaberi Ansari 1 ¿ , SM. Hashemi 2 1 Associate Professor, Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2 Associate Professor, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of enamel bonding agents on pit and fissure sealant retention in a well-isolated situation. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two patients (6-9 years old, all males) with four fully erupted permanent first molars were selected. Their occlusal, buccal, and lingual fissures were sealed according to a split-mouth design using concise light curing white sealant (3M) for the control group and Heliobond (Vivadent) plus sealant for the study group. The retention of sealants was carefully inspected after one year and the data were analyzed by chi-square test. Results: The percentages of complete retention in the study and control groups were 73.2, and 71.4, respectively. Chi-square test revealed no significant difference between these groups (P>0.05) ¿ Corresponding author: Z. Jaberi Ansari, Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Conclusion: In a dry and isolated situation, application of enamel bonding agent has no significant effect on fissure sealant retention. zjansari@dent.sbmu.ac.ir Key Words: Pit and Fissure Sealants; heliobond; white sealant; Dental Enamel Received: 21 January 2008 Journal of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (2008; Vol: 5, No.4) Accepted:21 May 2008 INTRODUCTION Dental caries is the most common chronic hu- man disease [1]. Although only 12.5 percent of all tooth surfaces are occlusal, these surfaces are shown to develop more than two-thirds of total caries experienced by children [2]. A re- cent paper suggests that approximately 90% of caries in children occurs in pit and fissures [3]. Several methods have been recommended for caries prevention so far, including the intro- duction of pit and fissure sealants, which has provided a preventive method for minimizing occlusal caries [4-8]. Fissure sealants were first introduced in 1967 by Cueto and Buonocore [9] and their effec- tiveness was recognized by the American Den- tal Association in 1971 [10]. The ability of fis- sure sealants to prevent fissure caries is related to sealant retention. Intact sealants protect the surfaces they cover from caries and their suc- cessful application is dependent upon good clinical technique. The most important criteria mentioned, as the key point for a successful result is complete isolation of the teeth from saliva contamination [11]. Enhancing the penetration of the sealant into the fissures, should improve sealant retention. It can be assumed that due to lower viscosity and higher penetration rate of an unfilled bonding agent, its penetration into the fissures and enamel tags is more than sealants; as a re- sult, the sealant will be more retentive. Some papers have reported an increase in fissure sealant retention following bonding agent ap- 2008; Vol. 5, No. 4 156