Influence of radiotherapy on the physical-mechanical properties of different pit and fissure sealants

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: This study was to evaluate whether ionizing radiation used in the treatment of Head and Neck Cancer interferes with the adhesion of pit and fissure sealants applied to tooth enamel. Materials and Methods: A total of 105 healthy human teeth were randomly allocated between the control group (non-irradiated teeth) and irradiated groups subdivided into pre-radiotherapy and post-radiotherapy. The teeth were treated using a resin sealant (Fluoroshield®) or a cement of conventional glass ionomer (Ketac Molar Easymix®). The conventional radiotherapy protocol consisted of applying an irradiation dose of 2Gy per day, over a period of 35 days, totaling a cumulative dose of 70Gy. Marginal microleakage test (n=60 teeth) and shear test (n=45 teeth) were performed. Data statistical analysis considered a significance value of 5%. Results: Both in the shear test and the microleakage test, the resin sealant presented the best results. Also, there was no statistically significant difference in any of the tests between the non-irradiated groups and groups that received radiotherapy. Conclusions: Thus, radiotherapy does not influence the adhesion of pit and fissure sealants of the different materials used, and the resin sealant presented better performance when compared to the conventional glass ionomer. Clinical relevance: of this study lies in the fact that patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment can undergo preventive treatment with sealants before or after radiotherapy, with resinous materials being the most suitable for this condition.