Validation of micro‐CT against the section method regarding the assessment of marginal leakage of sealants

Abstract

The aim of this study was to validate the micro-CT and related software against the section method using the stereomicroscope for marginal leakage assessment along the sealant-enamel interface. Pits and fissures of the occlusal surface of 10 teeth were sealed with a resin-fissure sealant material without acid etching, thermocycled for 5000 cycles, immersed in 50% silver nitrate for three hours and scanned using micro-CT. Teeth were embedded in epoxy resin and cut in three sections. The middle section was subjected to micro-CT and stereomicroscopy. Images were taken from the left and right sides of the sealant-enamel interface at both the left and the right site of the section. Two experienced evaluators assessed marginal leakage. Both assessment instruments observed no leakage in 37 out of the 40 images evaluated. Leakage at the sealant-enamel interface was observed in three stereomicroscopy images only. A fracture line in the sealant was seen on eight stereomicroscopy images and observed in only two micro-CT images. The quality of the micro-CT and related software used in the present study does not qualify it to replace the section method as the gold standard for marginal leakage assessment at the sealant-enamel interface of permanent teeth.