Microshear bond strength, microleakage and remineralization potential of a dental resin-based pit and fissure sealant loaded with calcium and sodium silicate with fluorapatite bioactive glass

This in-vitro study evaluated the caries-preventive potential of an experimental resin-based dental sealant containing 85 wt% calcium and sodium silicate and 15 wt% fluorapatite bioactive glass in comparison to a commercial sealant. The sealants were assessed based on microshear bond strength (µSBS), microleakage, and remineralization potential. Sample size was determined to provide a statistical power of 95% at a significance level of α = 0.05 with a calculated effect size (d) of 1.84. For µSBS testing ( n = 9), specimens were loaded at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min. Microleakage ( n = 12) was quantified using basic fuchsin dye penetration, and remineralization ( n = 12) was analyzed via polarized light microscopy. Data normality was verified using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests ( P ≤ 0.05), and intergroup differences were analyzed via Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. There was no statistically significant difference in µSBS between the commercial (23.95 ± 7.92 MPa) and experimental (21.75 ± 7.57 MPa) sealants ( p = 0.581). However, the experimental sealant exhibited significantly lower microleakage at both the incisal ( p < 0.001) and gingival ( p = 0.008) margins compared to the commercial control. Remineralization potential was comparable between the experimental (15.07 ± 2.81 μm) and commercial (13.19 ± 5.69 μm) sealants, with no significant difference between them ( p = 0.725), though both significantly reduced lesion depth compared to the untreated control group ( p < 0.05). The experimental bioactive sealant demonstrated superior sealing ability and effective remineralization potential while maintaining adequate bond strength, suggesting it is a promising alternative for clinical caries prevention.