In vitro evaluation of sealing pits and fissures with newer glass-ionomer cements developed for the ART technique.

Four conventional glass-ionomer cements specifically developed for use with the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) technique were compared with a resin-based sealant for marginal and surface dye penetration, material voids, and completeness of enamel fissure penetration. Thirty sound permanent mandibular molar teeth were randomly divided into five groups. After delayed placement of the glass-ionomer cement sealants using standardized finger pressure, and conventional placement of the resin-based sealant using a dental probe, the teeth were first thermocycled then the crowns immersed in methylene blue dye before being sectioned. There were no statistically significant differences found between any of the five materials, apart from less marginal dye leakage being present for the resin-based sealant than for one of the glass-ionomer cements. The cements, however, showed better fissure penetration than did the sealant. Despite the delayed placement and higher viscosity, all of the glass-ionomer cements showed satisfactory penetration of the enamel fissures and minimal marginal and surface dye penetration, and material voids, when placed using firm finger pressure. The cements could prove to be useful in the dental treatment of apprehensive children.