A Comparative Evaluation of Shear Bond Strength of Moisture Tolerant Pit and Fissure Sealant and Flowable Composite: An In vitro Study

Abstract Background The retention rate of a pit and fissure sealant is directly related to the micromechanical bond between the sealant and enamel. This research article aimed to assess the shear bond strength of moisture tolerant pit and fissure sealant and compare it with a flowable composite which is famed for its retention and strength. Aim To compare the shear bond strength of moisture tolerant pit and fissure sealant with flowable composite. Materials and Methodology Forty premolar teeth extracted for orthodontic purpose were randomly categorized into two equal groups with 20 samples each. Buccal/lingual enamel surface of the tooth was etched with 38% phosphoric acid for 20 s and Embrace wetbond sealant (EWS) and Estelite Flow Quick High Flow Flowable composite (EFC) as sealant was applied and cured. Shear load was applied using a universal testing machine and bond strength calculated in mega pascals (MPa) and tabulated. Statistical analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS and Mann–Whitney to compare the shear bond strength between the study groups. P ≤ 0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Results The Mann–Whitney test compared the shear bond strength values and it was found that EWS in vitro had a shear bond strength of 2.918 ± 0.7396 MPa. Comparative evaluation of the two showed a statistically significant value of P = 0.004*. Conclusion Moisture tolerant pit and fissure sealants have good shear bond strength which will ensure its retention on to the teeth especially in very young and specially abled children.