Parco, Todd M.2011-08-302011-08-302011-06https://hdl.handle.net/11299/114175University of Minnesota M.S. thesis. June 2011. Major: Dentistry. Advisor: Soraya Beiraghi, D.D.S., M.S., M.S.D. 1 computer file (PDF); v, 53 pages.Purpose: To compare the microleakage of a self-etching sealant with a traditional phosphoric acid-etched sealant under non-contaminated and saliva-contaminated conditions. Methods: Seventy-eight sound extracted human molars were used (n=13). Teeth in groups 1 and 2 were cleaned with pumice, phosphoric acid etched, rinsed, drying agent applied, sealant placed (UltraSeal XT plus) and light cured. Teeth in groups 3 and 4 were sealed using the same steps as groups 1 and 2 with the addition of a bonding agent placed underneath the sealant. Teeth in groups 5 and 6 were cleaned with a proprietary flour pumice and rinsed prior to being sealed with a self-etching sealant (Enamel Loc®). Teeth in groups 2, 4 and 6 were contaminated with saliva and thoroughly air-dried prior to the sealant placement. All teeth were subjected to a thermocycling process, stained with silver nitrate, sectioned, and the images of sealant on the occlusal surface were recorded. Microleakage distance was measured and subjected to a two-way ANOVA analysis. Results: Significantly larger microleakage distances were found for the selfetching sealant compared to the traditional sealant group and those sealants that had a bonding agent placed underneath them. (P=0.0001). Saliva contamination did not significantly affect the microleakage distance (P=0.1674). Conclusions: Under the conditions used in this in-vitro study, the self-etching sealant, regardless of contamination condition, had extensive microleakage distances in comparison to little microleakage in the traditional phosphoric acid-etched sealant and/or those that had a bonding agent used underneath them.en-USDentistryThesis or Dissertation