Comparison Of Physical Properties Of Low-Cost And High-Cost Sealants Available In Indian Market- An Invitro Study

Abstract

Background:

This study was intended to compare the physical characteristics of high-cost and low-cost sealants available on the Indian market as part of a non-inferiority experiment.

Methods:

For this study exfoliated permanent teeth will be used as part of the experimental (invitro) study design, for a period of three months (July 2022 - September 2022). In order to analyse the physical properties, Fisher exact test was used, and independent t-test was used to compare groups.

Results:

Mean Compressive stress at maximum force (Mpa) of Low-cost sealant was 198.09±54.59 and High-cost sealant was 202.40 ± 55.63 (P < 0.001). Compressive displacement(mm) at Break mean values were 3.57 ± 0.47 for Low-cost sealant and 3.70 ± 1.23 High-cost sealant respectively (P = 0.003^**). In Cell line culture, percentage of cell viability of the low-cost sealant and high-cost sealant samples were 90 % and 84% respectively (P = 0.007^**). Adaptability of the study groups were compared using Ovrebo and Raadal's scoring criteria based on dye penetration, which is found to be statistically significant (P = 0.041^*).

Conclusions:

Based on the results, this study indicate that a low-cost sealant has superior properties to that of a high-cost sealant, demonstrating the cost effectiveness, as well as providing evidence that affordable sealant material can be used to prevent dental caries at a variety of levels of healthcare.