Light transmittance characteristics and refractive indices of light-activated pit and fissure sealants.

We examined the light transmittance characteristics and refractive indices of light-activated pit and fissure sealants. Five commercial pit and fissure sealants and human enamel were studied, along with the CIE L*a*b* color values of the materials and enamel. The light transmittance spectra of the pit and fissure sealants showed a similar trend to the enamel, especially at wavelengths below 530 nm. The average light transmittance values from 400 to 500 nm of the materials at 0.5-mm-thick ranged from 10.0% to 40.4%. The refractive indices at 589.3 nm ranged from 1.504 to 1.546, and were approximately 4-8% lower than that of enamel. The measurements for the surface hardness of materials indicate that the light-attenuating effect of enamel and the material itself reduced the polymerization efficiency of the material. For all materials, chromatic a* showed negative and b* showed positive values, as did enamel. Significant differences in light transmittance characteristics and refractive indices between the materials and enamel may affect color matching between them.