Purpose: To make micro-CT comparison and evaluation of sealant penetration depth in different types of fissures after heating of the material or application of vibrations.
Materials and Methods: One hundred sound third molars have been sealed as follows: group 1 (n = 20), light-cured resin sealant at room temperature, group 2 (n = 20), light-cured resin sealant, preheated to 41.0°C, group 3 (n = 20), light-cured resin sealant, preheated to 51.0°C, group 4 (n = 20), resin sealant with application of vibrations before light-curing at room temperature, group 5 (n = 20), resin-modified glass-ionomer cement. The samples were analysed using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The profile of each fissure was classified, and the penetration depth of the sealant into the fissure and the fissure depth were measured. The ratio of filled area and total depth of the fissure was calculated in percentages.
Results: Pre-heating of the sealants and the usage of a vibrating tool improved the penetration depth compared to the application of the material at room temperature. U- and V-type fissures exhibited better penetration capability than others. For IK-type fissures, the best penetration was observed with resin sealant heated at 51.0°C. I-shaped fissures exhibited lower penetration rates despite the heating process. Glass-ionomer cement showed the least depth penetration.
Conclusion: Pre-heating of the resin sealant or application of vibrations improve statistically significantly penetration in the different fissure types.