Effectiveness of Seven Types of Sealants: Retention after One Year

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the retention rate and pattern of different pit and fissure sealants placed on the occlusal surface of newly erupted first permanent molars after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Materials and methods: Seventy children were enrolled in this study. They divided into seven groups (m = 10) according to the type of the sealant. The four permanent first molars of each child were sealed. The sealant was applied according to the instructions from the manufacturer. A clinical evaluation was carried out at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. The clinical observations were divided into three categories: total retention (TR), partial retention (PR), and total loss (TL). Results: The resin-based sealant performed better than the glass ionomer-based sealant except for the Ketac Molar Easymix. At 3 months, there was no significant difference among all the tested groups (p> 0.05), while at 6, 9, and 12 months, there was a highly significant difference (p< 0.001). The glass carbomer sealant showed the least retention rate at all intervals. Conclusion: With an exception of the Ketac Molar Easymix, resin-based sealers performed better than glass ionomer-based sealers. Clinical significance: A proper application of pit and fissure sealant will decrease the chance for caries development in newly erupted teeth.