Properties Of Sealants Research Articles

The influence of external and internal factors on ensuring adhesive interaction of a polymeric sealant with a substrate surface (a review)

This paper analyzes literature data on the influence of various factors affecting the strength and durability of adhesive bonds, as well as presents a characterization of the methods described in the literature for conducting relevant studies. It is shown that one of the main characteristics of adhesive joints is the interaction at the interface between the substrate and the adhesive. The adhesive capability of a sealant largely depends on the structure of the polymer component, as well as the presence of components in the sealant that enhance this property. The structure and condition of the substrate surface significantly affect the nature of the interaction between the adhesive and the substrate. Various methods are used to determine the strength of the adhesive bond, differing in the type of applied loads and the nature of the surface fracture. An important indicator is the determination of the wetting angle of the substrate by the sealant, which characterizes the surface energy. The durability of adhesive bonds is significantly influenced by environmental factors as well as operational conditions. Moisture, atmospheric oxygen, ultraviolet radiation, and microorganisms have a particularly strong effect on the properties of polymeric sealants.

The influence of Calcite-Producing Bacteria on Cement Mortar Compressive Strength and Durability Characteristics

Background: The phenomenon of microbiologically induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is a part of the chemical process called biomineralization. Microorganisms form inorganic solids like calcite by such process. Bacillus spp. are common soil bacteria that may induce calcite precipitation. The microbial sealant properties of CaCO3 improve mortar and concrete's compressive strength. Methods: This study examined the impact of locally isolated Calcite-Producing bacteria on mortar characteristics. Eight isolates of Bacillus spp. have been prepared in suspensions adjusted to absorbance of 1 at 600 nm, that contain 2% urea and 25 mmoll-1 calcium chloride, and applied to prepare mortar cubes. The ratio of cement: sand: water mix was 1:3:0.5. Control cubes were prepared using the same mix ratio and containing water instead of bacterial suspension. Compressive strengths for all cubes on days 7 and 28 were measured. A durability tests and water absorption test for the cubes were performed. Results: Bacterial mortar cubes showed a compressive strength about 39 to 81% and 9.6 to 60.2% higher than the control on the 7th day and 28th day, respectively. Bacterial mortar cubes resist H2SO4 attack at pH ≥ 2, while control cubes couldn't resist at pH ≤ 6. After treatment with 5% MgSO4, all bacterial cubes showed higher compressive strengths. Water absorption of bacterial cubes ranged from 2.4-4.8%, while the control cubes absorbed water with a percentage of 7.2%. Conclusion: These species are promising contenders for MICP involved investments, and can be used in a many of construction applications.

Nd-YAG laser-assisted pulmonary metastasectomy: initial experience from a tertiary care cancer center in India.

Pulmonary metastasectomy is recommended for metastatic lung lesions when R0 resection is possible, the primary site is in controlled status, surgery is of low risk, and extrathoracic metastases are absent. We present the initial experiences of laser-assisted surgery (LAS) for pulmonary metastatic lesions from a tertiary care cancer center in India. All patients undergoing non-anatomical pulmonary metastasectomy between September 2022 and January 2023 for synchronous and metachronous lesions, operated on by a single consultant thoracic oncosurgeon in a tertiary care center of India, were identified from a prospective database. Ten patients with 124 metastatic lesions were included in the study. A hybrid approach (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with mini-thoracotomy) was performed. Measurements of total lesion volume and lung parenchyma resected were taken from the final histopathological analysis of the intraoperative sample. LAS was performed for 102 lesions and stapled wedge resection for 22 lesions. Evidence of malignancy was noted in 88/102 (86.3%) of the lesions excised. Patients with LAS had advantages of parenchyma preservation, less postoperative morbidities, and shorter hospital stays. LAS of pulmonary metastatic lesions addresses more lesions in a single sitting; the bilateral lung lesions can be operated and has parenchyma preserving and good sealant properties. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12055-024-01723-8.

Effect of Fumed Silica Filler on Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Polysulfide Sealant

Effect of Fumed Silica Filler on Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Polysulfide Sealant

Curing characteristics and performance of a bio-based polyurethane engineered sealant with high bonding strength: Effect of R value and chain extender content

Polyurethane (PU) engineering sealants can be used to fill construction joints and pavement cracks with excellent practical results. However, traditional engineering sealants have the disadvantages of poor strength and raw materials that are not environmentally friendly. In this paper, a novel composition system of bio-based polyurethane engineering sealant was developed. The effects of the isocyanate/macroglycol molar ratio (nNCO/nOH, R value) for component A and the contents of amine chain extender (AME) on the curing characteristics and properties of the PU sealant were investigated using a series of experiments. Firstly, the curing process of the sealant was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) test, surface drying time test and gel time experiments. Secondly, the basic physical properties of the sealant were studied by tensile and hardness tests. And the water resistance of the sealant was judged. Then, the characteristics of molecular movement of polyurethane sealant were analyzed by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The tensile cross-sections of the specimens were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, the thermal stability of sealants was studied by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. The results indicated that the material developed in this research can be used as a high-performance engineering sealant in actual projects. The increase in the R value and the decrease in AME content resulted in a longer curing process of the sealant. The rise of R value and AME content was able to raise the tensile strength, bonding strength and hardness of the sealant. The water resistance of the sealant was better. Also, the glass transition temperature (Tg) and storage modulus could also be increased and the thermal stability of the previous stage could be reduced by increasing the R value and AME content. Considering both the performance and construction requirements, the optimum R value and AME contents are recommended to be 2.1 and 1.4%, respectively.

Durability and Recycling of Rubber Concrete

The addition of crumb rubber particles causes a decrease in the compressive strength of concrete. This is particularly observed beyond 3.6% crumb rubber addition with respect to the total weight of the aggregates. The accelerated carbonation also indicates an increase in the CO2 ingress, which is partially due to the low quality of the interface rubber particles-cementitious matrix. On the other hand, the water sealant properties, the chloride penetration resistance and the resistance to freeze and thaw exhibit an increase. This latter feature is mainly due to the implemented ductility of the crumb rubber concrete, which can better adapt to the thermal stress that arises during the freezing action. Furthermore, the addition of recycled crumb rubber up to 25% of the aggregate weight to concrete positively affect the mechanical as well as the durability performance.

Comparative Evaluation of Wear Strength and Compressive Strength of Two Pit and Fissure Sealants with a Nanofilled Resin Coating: An In Vitro Study.

The role of sealants for pits and fissures has been emphasized in caries prevention. Considering the advantages of a surface sealer and the effects of its application over restorative materials; the study is aimed at evaluating two pit and fissure sealants with a nanofilled resin coating. In this in vitro double-blinded study, a total of 60 caries-free extracted third molars were collected and divided into two groups of 30 each receiving either a resin-based sealant (Helioseal F) or a glass ionomer-based sealant (GC Fuji VII). Each sample was then applied with GCoat Plus surface sealer. 15 samples each containing GC Fuji VII and 15 containing Helioseal F were then subjected to wear. Another 15 samples of GC Fuji VII and 15 of Helioseal F were subjected to compressive load. On assessing the wear strength, the weight loss in group I (resin sealant with surface sealer) was 1.73 ± 0.50 (μg) which was statistically significant (p = 0.023). There was no significant difference in comparing the wear depth between both groups. There was a high statistically significant difference when assessing the compressive strength, group II (glass ionomer sealant with surface sealer) had 3566.4 ± 757 (μm) when compared to group I (resin sealant with surface sealer) 1568.53 ± 680 (p ≤ 0.01). Sealants are known for their poor retention and keeping that in mind we designed this study to evaluate the physical properties of sealants with a resin coating over them. Within the limitations of this study, the conclusions are glass ionomer sealant showed greater resistance to wear when compared to the resin-based sealant and the resin-based sealant showed higher compressive strength values than the glass ionomer sealant. Gunasekaran R, Sharmin D, Baghkomeh PN, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Wear Strength and Compressive Strength of Two Pit and Fissure Sealants with a Nanofilled Resin Coating: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(1):31-35.

Clinical Effectiveness of Air Abrasion When Compared to Conventional Acid-etching Technique in Enhancing the Retention of Pit and Fissure Sealants: A Systematic Review.

The purpose of our study was to perform a systematic review to assess and compare the effectiveness of the air abrasion technique with that of the conventional acid-etching technique performed before the placement of pit and fissure sealants. A search of studies was conducted in May 2021 using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases. Clinical trials in the English language between 1997 and 2019 were included. The quality of the studies was analyzed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. The search retrieved 276 references, out of which seven studies were included for a qualitative analysis. In these seven studies, the risk of bias across the Cochrane tool's domains varied from low to high. All the included studies considered acid-etching as a comparator to air abrasion technique either used alone or as an adjunct to acid-etching technique. When coverage of sealants or their retentivity was compared at different time intervals, it was more in the acid-etching group than in the air abrasion group. Similarly, carious lesions were seen more in the air abrasion group than in the acid-etching group. The air abrasion technique followed by acid-etching brought superior retention properties of sealants than the acid-etching technique alone. Bhadule SN, Kalaskar R, Kalaskar A, et al. Clinical Effectiveness of Air Abrasion When Compared to Conventional Acid-etching Technique in Enhancing the Retention of Pit and Fissure Sealants: A Systematic Review. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(3):377-384.

Low stress creep response of PTFE sealants applied to PEM fuel cells

AbstractViscoelastic properties of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) play a crucial role in forecasting its long‐term behavior in engineering applications. An attempt is made to explore the viscoelastic properties of PTFE sealants that are utilized in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). It is to be noted that PTFE sealants are vulnerable to creep under constant loading at elevated temperatures. Moreover, the creep of sealants will lead to leakage of reactants from the cell, which affects the performance of PEMFC. PTFE is an excellent choice as a sealant material in low‐temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (LT‐PEMFC), which operates in the temperature range of 60–80°C. PTFE can be prominently used as sealants in high‐temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (HT‐PEMFC), as it possesses no significant change in its physical properties within the temperature range of −150 to 300°C along with the working conditions of HT‐PEMFC. In LT‐PEMFC, the sealants will typically be subjected to low stresses in the range of 1–5 MPa. In this article, the creep response of PTFE sealant material is extensively studied at various temperatures of 25 (room temperature), 35, 45, 55, and 65°C and at three stress levels of 2, 3, and 4 MPa. The time–temperature superposition principle is utilized to develop master curve at a reference temperature of 25°C, to forecast long‐term creep characteristics of PTFE sealants. Moreover, the master curve for creep compliance is developed for 4.5 h.

Application of nanotechnology in clinical dentistry type of manuscript: Review article

Over the years, dentistry has undergone multiple phases of revolution, increasing its reliability and patients' comfort. One of these, "NANOTECHNOLOGY," has the potential to fundamentally alter how management and diagnostics are performed. A preliminary vision by Feynma led to the conception of nanotechnology in 1959. Since the dimensions of nanotechnology have been understood, it has been suggested that nanotechnology is the sector with a great potential for development considering its implications in the different fields of medical and dental sciences.Several nanotechnology advancements have been applied in the field of oral health over the past 10 years, however many of these applications are still in their early years. Just a few of the several dental applications of nanotechnology include dentition renaturalization, treatment for dentin hypersensitivity, full-visit orthodontic realignment, covalent bonding of diamondized enamel, enhanced root canal sealant properties, and currently ongoing oral health maintenance using mechanical dentifrobots.Numerous artificial nanoparticles, such as hydroxyapatite, bio glass, titanium, zirconia, and silver nanoparticles, are recommended for dental restoration. If executed correctly, the discipline of nanotechnology has the potential to significantly benefit human society by enhancing health, better utilizing natural resources, and reducing environmental pollution. Every procedure in dentistry in the future will be performed with instruments and technologies based on nanotechnology.

Effect of Laser Tooth Surface Pretreatment on Some Mechanical Properties of Pit And Fissure Sealant (An In Vitro Study)

Effect of Laser Tooth Surface Pretreatment on Some Mechanical Properties of Pit And Fissure Sealant (An In Vitro Study)

Microleakage Assessment of Hydrophilic Pit and Fissure Sealants Fortified with Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles-An in Vitro Study

Background and Aim: Pit and fissure sealants play a significant role in preventive dentistry. The sealant's physical properties lend a notable contribution to its long-term success. The invention of nanoscience has led to breakthrough discoveries in improving the mechanical properties of sealants. The current work aimed to evaluate the microleakage of Hydrophilic sealant fortified using silver nanoparticles compared to the Hydrophilic sealant and conventional sealant on permanent molars. Materials and methods: Silver nanoparticles were green synthesized using beetroot extract and incorporated into hydrophilic Ultraseal XT Hydro sealant. A sample of extracted third molars, thirty in number, were allocated randomly to three different groups as follows: Group I: conventional Clinpro sealant, Group II: hydrophilic Ultraseal XT hydro, and Group III: Ultraseal XT hydro fortified with silver nanoparticles. Microleakage assessment was performed using a stereomicroscope. The Kruskal-Wallis test was employed to compare the microleakage values of the three groups. Results: Group III had the lowest values about mean microleakage score , and the highest scores were noted for Group I ( . A statistically significant difference was observed in comparing the three groups employing the Kruskal-Wallis test. Conclusion: The results of the current study have established that the microleakage was the lowest in fortified UltraSeal XT Hydro (Group III) when compared to Ultraseal XT Hydro (Group II) and Clinpro sealant (Group I).

Physicomechanical Properties of Resin-Based Pit and Fissure Sealants Reinforced with Rice Husk Derived Nano Silica and Nanohydroxyapatite

Resin-based pit fissure sealants (RBS) are used to prevent occlusal caries in children. The success of RBS in preventing dental caries is largely influenced by its retention on the tooth surface, which is also affected by its physicomechanical properties. The physicomechanical properties of RBS can be enhanced through the addition of fillers. With the advent of nanofillers, the physicomechanical properties were improved without altering RBS flowability. The present study developed an RBS with a 70 wt% resin matrix and 30 wt% nanofillers. The resin matrix consisted of urethane dimethacrylate (55 wt%), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (45 wt%), camphoroquinone (0.3 wt%), and 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (0.7 wt%). Silane-treated rice husk-derived nanosilica (20 wt%) and nanohydroxyapatite (10 wt%) were added as fillers. Clinpro, Fissurit FX, and an unfilled sealant were controls. All RBS were tested for surface roughness, Vickers hardness, flexural strength, and flowability. Statistical analysis with oneway ANOVA revealed significant differences between groups in surface roughness, hardness, flowability (p < 0.001), flexural strength, and flexural modulus (p < 0.05). Experimental sealants had higher flexural strength (78 MPa) and flow distance (29.05+1.16 mm) than commercial controls. However, the surface roughness of experimental sealants (0.25+0.08 µm) was higher than Clinpro (0.087+0.027 µm) but lesser than Fissurit FX (0.35+0.19 µm). The Vickers hardness of experimental sealants (23+1.63 VHN) was less than Fissurit FX (28.80+1.69 VHN) but higher than Clinpro (21.74+1.68 VHN). This novel RBS had physicomechanical properties comparable to commercial sealants. The use of nanosilica from rice husk makes this pit and fissure sealer sustainable and environmentally friendly in dentistry.

Mechanical and antibacterial properties of conventional pit and fissure sealants with addition of miswak fibers

The occlusal surface of a tooth is affected by the development of biofilm in pits and fissures as bacteria and food particles accumulate in its complex structure. In this study, miswak fibers containing cellulose and antimicrobial extract were incorporated in commercial pit and fissure sealants. The miswak powder was characterized by different analytical techniques. The powder was mixed in different ratios (0–5%) into a pit and fissure sealant to result in five sealants (Groups 0–5), and their mechanical properties i.e. flexural strength, compressive strength, and Vickers hardness were evaluated. The sealants were also evaluated against streptococcus mutans oral pathogenic bacteria. SEM analysis confirmed irregular shape and micron-size particles of miswak powder. The infrared spectral analysis and X-ray differential peaks showed characteristic peaks related to miswak fibers. The particle appearance increased in prepared pits and fissure sealants with higher loading of miswak powder in SEM analysis. The flexural strength, compressive strength, and Vickers hardness values were obtained in the range of 148–221 (±16.6: p-value < 0.001) MPa, 43.1–50.3 MPa (±1.7: p-value <0.001), and 15.2–21.26 VHN (±0.56: p-value <0.001) for control and prepared sealant specimens respectively. In the antibacterial study, the zone of inhibitions increased with increased content of miswak from 15.6 ± 0.45 mm (Group 1) to 20.3 ± 0.32 mm (Group 5). The MIC was calculated to be 0.039%. The prepared experimental sealant had acceptable mechanical and good antibacterial properties therefore it could be recommended as an efficient pit and fissure sealant.

Effects of TiO2, Ag-TiO2, and Cu-TiO2 nanoparticles on mechanical and anticariogenic properties of conventional pit and fissure sealants

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of TiO2, Ag-TiO2, and Cu-TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) addition on the mechanical and antibacterial properties of resin-based sealants. TiO2, Ag-TiO2, and Cu-TiO2 NPs were characterized with FTIR, Raman, SEM-EDX, TEM, XPS, and XRD, and evaluated for cytotoxicity study. After characterization, the nanoparticles were mixed with commercial pit and fissure sealants (PAFS) in ratios of 1 and 2%. A total of 7 groups were made, control group (PAFS only) and experimental groups (1%-2% TiO2, 1%-2% Ag-TiO2, and 1%-2% Cu-TiO2). ISO standards were adopted to prepare samples for mechanical properties, i.e., compressive strength (CS), flexural strength (FS), and Vickers hardness evaluation. Samples were tested against Streptococcus mutans through an agar well diffusion test. The CS, FS, and Vickers hardness were increased for the Cu-TiO2 group with respect to Ag-TiO2 but values were less compared to TiO2 groups. The highest flow rate was measured in the control group which was 8.16±0.06 mm and 9.17±0.1 mm after 3 and 10 mins respectively. In the agar well diffusion test, the control group showed no zone of inhibition, and the lowest zone of bacterial inhibition was found in PAFS with 1% TiO2 NPs group (13.3 ± 1.5 mm) while the highest was found in PAFS with 2% Ag-TiO2 NPs (21.8 ± 1.7 mm). Cu-doped TiO2 NPs showed more biocompatibility as compared to Ag-doped TiO2. The outcomes were statistically significant for all the mechanical tests and agar well diffusion antibacterial test as the p-value ≤0.05 while for the cytotoxicity test, the p-value >0.05. The TiO2 addition generally improved both the mechanical and antibacterial properties of pit and fissure sealant.

Estimation of effective thermophysical properties of firestopping sealants: Methodology and case study

Firestops have been widely applied to protect nonstructural service elements which penetrate fire resistant barriers to maintain the effectiveness of the overall fire separation. While fire stopping applications are well accepted globally, current understanding of actual fire performance is very limited and relies on standard fire test outcomes and extrapolated engineering judgement, without much scrutiny. Above all, a dearth of available thermophysical properties of common firestop materials significantly restrains the development of reliable numerical solutions. The objective of this research is therefore to optimize pseudo thermophysical properties that can be applied to model the temperature response of a typical firestop acrylic sealant. The study adopted an inverse modelling approach. Through iterative adjustment of key thermophysical parameters, a preliminary optimization for a typical firestop acrylic sealant has been attained. The simulated in-depth temperature predictions demonstrate a reasonable consistency with corresponding thermocouple data collected through customized ignition apparatus experiments. The proposed analysis methodology provides an alternative line of thought to obtain the effective thermophysical properties for fire safety designs.

Barium Silicate Glasses and Glass–Ceramic Seals for YSZ-Based Electrochemical Devices

The effect of partial SiO2 substitution with Al2O3 and B2O3 on the thermal properties and crystallization of glass sealants in the (50 − x)SiO2–30BaO–20MgO–xAl2O3(B2O3) (wt %) system is studied. It is established that the coefficient of thermal expansion of all obtained glasses lies within a range of 8.2–9.9 × 10−6 K−1. Alumina-doped glasses crystallize after quenching, while samples containing boron oxide are completely amorphous. Magnesium silicates are formed in all glasses after exposure at 1000 °C for 125 h. After 500 h of exposure, a noticeable diffusion of zirconium ions is observed from the YSZ electrolyte to the glass sealant volume, resulting in the formation of the BaZrSi3O9 compound. The crystallization and products of interaction between YSZ ceramics and boron-containing sealants have no significant effects on the adhesion and properties of glass sealants, which makes them promising for applications in electrochemical devices.

Mechanical Evaluation of Commercially Available Fibrin Sealants for Cartilage Repair.

Fibrin sealants are routinely used for intra-articular surgical fixation of cartilage fragments and implants. However, the mechanical properties of fibrin sealants in the context of cartilage repair are unknown. The purpose of this study was to characterize the adhesive and frictional properties of fibrin sealants using an ex vivo model. Native bovine cartilage-bone composites were assembled with a single application of Tisseel or Vistaseal. Composites were tested in tension and lap shear. In addition, the coefficient of friction (COF) was measured in a native cartilage annulus model alone and with minced cartilage. Finally, the effect of a double application of fibrin sealant was evaluated. There were no significant differences in tensile modulus, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), shear modulus, or ultimate shear strength (USS) between the 2 fibrin sealants. Both fibrin sealants demonstrated a UTS and USS of <8 and <30 kPa, respectively. There were no differences in COF between the sealants when tested alone or with minced cartilage. A double application of fibrin sealant did not alter the mechanical properties compared with a single application of fibrin sealant. Fibrin sealant adhesive properties are not affected by the sealant type studied or the number of applications in a bovine cartilage-bone model. Fibrin sealant tribological properties are not affected by sealant type or the addition of minced cartilage. The adhesive properties of Tisseel and Vistaseal were less than those desired for the in vivo fixation of cartilage repair implants. These findings motivate the development of an improved cartilage-specific adhesive for cartilage repair applications.

In vitro and Ex vivo Assessments of the Compatibility of Fibrin Sealant with Antimicrobial Compounds.

Background: Fibrin sealants are used as antimicrobial-releasing carriers for preventing surgical site infections; however, it is important to determine the release kinetics and antimicrobial effects of drugs added to fibrin sealants and the effects of drugs on clot/clotting properties. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of cefazolin, colistin, gentamicin, oxacillin, tobramycin, and silver nitrate released from fibrin sealant were characterized using in vitro and ex vivo assays against bacteria commonly found on the skin. The effects of antimicrobial agents on the physical structure of the fibrin sealant were assessed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and on the clotting rate and strength of fibrin clots using run-off tests and rheology. Results: Generally, antibiotic agents were released gradually from fibrin sealant and were stable after release, with antimicrobial effects evident up to three days. Cefazolin, gentamicin, and oxacillin prevented biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus in porcine skin explants; gentamicin and colistin prevented biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gentamicin, cefazolin, colistin, and tobramycin did not affect the structural integrity or viscoelastic properties of fibrin sealant; changes were observed with oxacillin (SEM) and particularly silver nitrate (SEM and rheology). No antimicrobial agents caused deterioration of clotting time (run-off tests). Conclusions: From the antimicrobial agents tested, gentamicin and cefazolin showed prolonged release from fibrin sealant, sustained antimicrobial activity, and biofilm prevention properties against Staphylococcus aureus; similar results were observed for gentamicin and colistin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. For each of these findings, the physical structure of the fibrin sealant, clotting rate, and strength of fibrin clots were unaffected.

Effect of Zinc Oxide Incorporation on the Antibacterial, Physicochemical, and Mechanical Properties of Pit and Fissure Sealants.

This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial, physicochemical, and mechanical properties of pit and fissure sealants containing different weight percentages of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). The following amounts of ZnO NPs were added to a commercially available pit and fissure sealant (BeautiSealant, Shofu, Japan) to prepare the experimental materials: 0 wt.% (commercial control (CC)), 0.5 wt.% (ZnO 0.5), 1 wt.% (ZnO 1.0), 2 wt.% (ZnO 2.0), and 4 wt.% (ZnO 4.0). The antibacterial effect against S. mutans was confirmed by counting the colony-forming units (CFUs) and observing live/dead bacteria. In addition, ion release, depth of cure, water sorption and solubility, and flexural strength tests were conducted. When compared with the CC, the experimental groups containing ZnO NPs showed zinc ion emission and significantly different CFUs (p < 0.05) with fewer live bacteria. ZnO NP addition reduced the depth of cure and water solubility and increased water sorption in comparison with the CC (p < 0.05). However, all groups showed similar flexural strength (p > 0.05). The pit and fissure sealants containing ZnO NPs exhibited antibacterial activity against S. mutans with no negative effects on physicochemical and mechanical properties, and thus, these sealants can be ideal secondary caries prevention material.