Impact of Novel Pit and Fissure Sealant Infused with Silver Nanoparticles in Comparison with Conventional Pit and Fissure Sealant in both Primary and Permanent Teeth: An SEM and Stereomicroscope Study.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the qualitative and quantitative microleakage analysis using stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) of the conventional pit and fissure sealant with silver nanoparticles infused pit and fissure sealant in primary and permanent teeth. Materials and methods: Sixty extracted over-retained primary molars and sixty premolars extracted for orthodontic purposes were collected and then randomly and equally divided into groups, i.e., group I (primary teeth) and group II (permanent teeth), and further into subgroups, i.e., subgroup IA-primary molars on which conventional pit and fissure sealant was applied, subgroup IB-primary molars on which silver nanoparticles infused pit and fissure sealant was applied, subgroup IIA-premolars on which conventional pit and fissure sealant was applied, and subgroup IIB-premolars on which silver nanoparticles infused pit and fissure sealant was applied. Occlusal surfaces of all teeth were cleaned, etched, and water rinsed, followed by the application of pit and fissure sealant according to the groups allocated. All the samples were then subjected to thermocycling, immersed in 5% methylene blue dye, sectioned, and analyzed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of microleakage under stereomicroscope and SEM. Results: The results were tabulated and statistically analyzed using χ Conclusion: Infusion of silver nanoparticles into pit and fissure sealant does not affect the microleakage in primary and permanent teeth. Clinical significance: Addition of silver nanoparticles to pit and fissure sealant gives an added advantage of silver without affecting the physical properties of the pit and fissure sealant. How to cite this article: Bhambri T, Bhola M, Bajaj N,