16 Introduction Resin-based pit and fissure sealants are effective caries-preventive agents as long as they remain bonded to the teeth [1]. These materials have been studied as fissure sealants since the 1960s and have shown high retention rates after different evalua- tion periods [2,3]. In the 1970s, glass-ionomer cement (GIC) was developed and is now widely used in restorative dentistry for a variety of purpos- es. Advantages over other restorative materials include restoration into cavities without any addi- tional bonding procedure, an ability to release fluo- ride, and relative biocompatiblity with the pulp [4]. In a study by Boksman (1987), the reten- et al. tion rate of GIC sealant after six months was only 2% for full retention, and the GIC sealant was total- ly absent in 94% of the samples [5]. Other authors reported 1.2% retention after five years [6] and 4% after three years [7] for glass ionomers used as sealants [8,9]. In a randomised controlled trial, Chadwick et al. (2005) found no evidence that the use of GIC sealant in the trial had any effect on caries incidence and stated that the glass ionomer could not be recommended as a clinical procedure [10-12]. The use of GIC has been suggested for erupting teeth where isolation is a problem, espe- cially in high-caries risk individuals [13-15]. In this situation, they can be considered more of a fluo- ride-release vehicle than a traditional fissure sealant [16]. Studies have shown that the microleakage under resin-based materials could be improved after treatment procedures such as conditioning, and/or air abrasion, and/or ameloplasty [17-19]. Similar procedures may apply for GICs but to the authors knowledge, there have been no studies directly comparing the retention of GIC sealants after different preparation of pits and fissures for their degree of microleakage. Fuji Triage is produced especially for fissure protection. It has been reported that major advan- tage of using Fuji Triage over other GICs is the flu- oride release by the sealant, which is considered to be the highest among all GICs [20]. In Vitro Evaluation of Microleakage Under a Glass Ionomer Surface Protector Cement After Different Enamel Treatment Procedures Eda Haznedaroglu 1 , Ali R Mentes 2 , Ilknur Tanboga 2 1 PhD, DDS. Assistant Professor.* 2 PhD, DDS. Professor.* *Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental Faculty, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey. Corresponding author: Eda Haznedaroglu, Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental Faculty, Marmara University, Buyuk Ciftlik Sok. No: 6 34365 Nisantasi, Istanbul, Turkey; e-mail: ehaznedaroglu@marmara.edu.tr Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the microleakage of a glass-ionomer surface-protector cement (GC in vitro Fuji Triage) placed onto the fissure surfaces of extracted human molars prepared using six different treatment proce- dures. Methods: Ninety-six extracted non-carious human molar teeth were divided into five enamel treatment groups: (Gp1) air-abraded (Micadent II, Medidenta); (Gp2) air-abraded and conditioned with 10% polyacrylic acid (GC dentin conditioner); (Gp3) prepared by a bur designed for enameloplasty (#8833 Komet); (Gp4) prepared with a bur and con- ditioned; (Gp5) conditioned; and (Gp6) no treatment (control). The teeth were then sealed with GC Fuji Triage. The teeth were thermocycled and left in distilled water or artificial saliva for one week, coated twice with nail varnish, and stained in a dye. They were sectioned and scored for microleakage. Results: All groups showed microleakage. Samples that were kept in saliva had better results than those that were kept in distilled water (P<0.05). Samples conditioned before the treatment were also better than non-conditioned groups (P<0.05). In distilled water and artificial saliva, the range of the groups was, from the best, Gp2<Gp4<Gp5=Gp3<Gp1=Gp6 and Gp4<Gp2<Gp3<Gp5<Gp1<Gp6, respectively. Conclusions:This in vitrostudy showed that the microleakage under the GIC material could be improved after treat- ment procedures such as conditioning, and/or air abrasion, and/or ameloplasty. Key Words: Glass-Ionomer Cements, Fissure Sealant, Microleakage