A comparative study of two high-viscosity ionomeric cements for the sealing of newly erupted permanent molars

Abstract

Objective: To compare the retention and preventive aspects of two different types of high-viscosity glass ionomer cements for newly erupted permanent molars, considering the cost-benefit ratio in relation to public health. Material and Methods: fifty-four children (5-12 years) with erupted molars were selected. One hundred and fifty-four teeth were sealed, 75 with Ketac Molar (KM) and 79 with Vitro Molar (VM). Before and after sealant application, photos were taken and condensation silicone casts were produced in order to better classify tooth eruption stage and to assess the sealant retention rate. Results: Fifty-six percent of teeth sealed with KM showed fully retained material (FR) after the 5-month follow-up period; 18.4 % showed KM in two-thirds of the occlusal surface (partial retention 2- PP2); 23.7 % in one third of the occlusal surface (partial retention 1-PP1); and only 1.3 % of sealed teeth showed total loss (TL). Among teeth sealed with VM, 28.8 % showed total retention (TR) of the sealant after 5 months; 7.5 % of sealants were present in two-thirds of the occlusal surface (PP2); 10% were present in one third of the occlusal surface (PP1), and 53.7 % showed total loss of the sealant (TL). The development of only one active white spot caries lesion after total sealant loss was observed in the VM group. Conclusion: Occlusal surfaces of newly erupted permanent molars sealed with high-viscosity KM glass ionomer cement exhibited higher retention when compared to VM after a 5-the development of carious lesions in sealed teeth was similar in both materials, which confirms the good clinical performance of glass ionomer cement sealants in the evaluation period, being highly significant when considering the cost-benefit ratio in relation to public health (KM cost is 4 times higher than VM cost).