Depth of penetration of resins in enamel lesions with mild fluorosis using the microinfiltration technique

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the depth of penetration of different resins with infiltration capacity in teeth with mild fluorosis ex vivo, with different hydrochloric acid conditioning times. Methods: Teeth with mild fluorosis ex vivo (n=6) were used. Half were treated with 18% hydrochloric acid (Cleardick, Dickinson) for 2 min and the other half for 6 min. In each of these experimental conditions, the buccal surface was infiltrated with Enamel Bond, Densell (E), Permaseal, Ultradent (P), and ICON infiltration resin, DGM (I). The samples were sectioned perpendicular to the buccal surface. Two-mm-thick sections were analyzed using a confocal laser microscope (OLYMPUS Lext 3D Microscope). The results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test for comparisons between different variables, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. 

Results: The mean and standard deviation of penetration depth with acid treatment for 2 min were: E: 92.04 (8.85), P: 53.77 (2.25), I: 108.78 (9.15); for 6 min: E: 174.87 (7.24), P: 380.81 (36.07), I: 364.03 (31.31). The ANOVA results showed a statistically significant effect (p<0.001) on the resin factor, acid treatment time, and their interactions. Tukey's test revealed heterogeneous groups between E-P, I.

Conclusions: It can be concluded that a longer acid treatment time increases the depth of resin penetration. ICON and Permaseal resins exhibited greater penetration depth after a 6-minute acid treatment in teeth with ex vivo fluorosis.