Microbial microleakage assessment of a new hydrophilic fissure sealant: a laboratory study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare microbial leakage of a new hydrophilic sealant with that of a conventional hydrophobic resin-based sealant.

Methods: One hundred extracted, caries-free, human maxillary premolars were randomly divided into five groups. Those in Groups 1, 2, and 3 had dry, wet, and artificial saliva-contaminated occlusal surfaces, respectively, and were sealed with a hydrophilic sealant, while those in Groups 4 and 5 had dry and wet occlusal surfaces, respectively, and were sealed with a hydrophobic sealant.