Use of Pit-and-Fissure Sealants. Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guideline for the Use of Pit-and-Fissure Sealants. Effectiveness of a glass ionomer cement used as a pit and fissure sealant in recently erupted permanent first molars. Sealing versus partial caries removal in primary molars: a randomized clinical trial Sealing of pits and fissures with an adhesive resin: its use in caries prevention. Comparison of The Canary System and DIAGNOdent for the in vitro detection of caries under opaque dental sealants Retention of a glass ionomer cement and a resin-based fissure sealant and effect on carious outcome after 7 years. Caries-preventive effect of sealants produced with altered glass-ionomer materials, after 2 years. Arrest of non-cavitated dentinal occlusal caries by sealing pits and fissures: a 36-month, randomised controlled clinical trial. Do light cured ART conventional high-viscosity glass-ionomer sealants perform better than resin-composite sealants: a 4-year randomized clinical trial. Pit and fissure sealants: results at five and ten years. Caries-Preventive Effect of a One-Time Application of Composite Resin and Glass Ionomer Sealants after 5 Years Caries-preventive effect of glass ionomer and resin-based fissure sealants on permanent teeth: An update of systematic review evidence Caries-preventive efficacy and retention of a resin-modified glass ionomer cement and a resin-based fissure sealant: a 3-year split-mouth randomised clinical trial. A comparative study of two pit and fissure sealants: results after 4 1/2 years in Augusta, Ga. Effects of glass ionomer cement, resin-based pit and fissure sealant and HF applications on occlusal caries in a developing country field trial. Attitudes, knowledge and utilization of fissure sealants among Greek Dentists: a national survey Retention and caries preventive effects of a GIC and a resin-based fissure sealant. Clinical evaluation of three different materials used as pit and fissure sealant: 24-months results. In vitro evaluation of shear bond strength and microleakage of different pit and fissure sealants Enamel pretreatment with Er:YAG laser: effects on the microleakage of fissure sealant in fluorosed teeth Sealant versus Fluoride in Primary Molars of Kindergarten Children Regularly Receiving Fluoride Varnish: One-Year Randomized Clinical Trial Follow-Up Retention of a resin-based sealant and a glass ionomer used as a fissure sealant: a comparative clinical study.
BACKGROUND This article presents evidence -based clinical recommendations for the use of pit- and -fissure sealants on the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents . A guideline panel convened by the American Dental Association ( ADA ) Council on Scientific Affairs and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry conducted a systematic review and formulated recommendations to address clinical questions in relation to the efficacy , retention , and potential side effects of sealants to prevent dental caries ; their efficacy compared with fluoride varnishes ; and a head-to-head comparison of the different types of sealant material used to prevent caries on pits- and -fissures of occlusal surfaces . TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEW ED This is an up date of the ADA 2008 recommendations on the use of pit- and -fissure sealants on the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars . The authors conducted a systematic search in MEDLINE , Embase , Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials , and other sources to identify r and omized controlled trials reporting on the effect of sealants ( available on the U.S. market ) when applied to the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars . The authors used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment , Development , and Evaluation approach to assess the quality of the evidence and to move from the evidence to the decisions . RESULTS The guideline panel formulated 3 main recommendations . They concluded that sealants are effective in preventing and arresting pit- and -fissure occlusal carious lesions of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents compared with the nonuse of sealants or use of fluoride varnishes . They also concluded that sealants could minimize the progression of non-cavitated occlusal carious lesions ( also referred to as initial lesions ) that receive a sealant . Finally , based on the available limited evidence , the panel was unable to provide specific recommendations on the relative merits of 1 type of sealant material over the others . Conclusions and practical implication s : These recommendations are design ed to inform practitioners during the clinical decision-making process in relation to the prevention of occlusal carious lesions in children and adolescents . Clinicians are encouraged to discuss the information in this guideline with patients or the parents of patients . The authors recommend that clinicians re-orient their efforts toward increasing the use of sealants on the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents BACKGROUND This article presents evidence -based clinical recommendations for the use of pit- and -fissure sealants on the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents . A guideline panel convened by the American Dental Association ( ADA ) Council on Scientific Affairs and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry conducted a systematic review and formulated recommendations to address clinical questions in relation to the efficacy , retention , and potential side effects of sealants to prevent dental caries ; their efficacy compared with fluoride varnishes ; and a head-to-head comparison of the different types of sealant material used to prevent caries on pits- and -fissures of occlusal surfaces . TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEW ED This is an up date of the ADA 2008 recommendations on the use of pit- and -fissure sealants on the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars . The authors conducted a systematic search in MEDLINE , Embase , Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials , and other sources to identify r and omized controlled trials reporting on the effect of sealants ( available on the U.S. market ) when applied to the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars . The authors used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment , Development , and Evaluation approach to assess the quality of the evidence and to move from the evidence to the decisions . RESULTS The guideline panel formulated 3 main recommendations . They concluded that sealants are effective in preventing and arresting pit- and -fissure occlusal carious lesions of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents compared with the nonuse of sealants or use of fluoride varnishes . They also concluded that sealants could minimize the progression of non-cavitated occlusal carious lesions ( also referred to as initial lesions ) that receive a sealant . Finally , based on the available limited evidence , the panel was unable to provide specific recommendations on the relative merits of 1 type of sealant material over the others . Conclusions and practical implication s : These recommendations are design ed to inform practitioners during the clinical decision-making process in relation to the prevention of occlusal carious lesions in children and adolescents . Clinicians are encouraged to discuss the information in this guideline with patients or the parents of patients . The authors recommend that clinicians re-orient their efforts toward increasing the use of sealants on the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents PURPOSE This study 's purpose was to evaluate the caries-preventive effect of a glass ionomer cement ( GIC ) used as an occlusal sealant on recently erupted permanent first molars . METHODS A double-blind , r and omized , controlled , clinical trial was undertaken that included 36 5- to 8-year-olds ( and 92 permanent first molars ) who were r and omly allocated to the test group ( GIC ) or the control group ( auto-polymerized resin-based sealant [ RBS ] )  . The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the number of new carious or filled occlusal surfaces in the 2 groups . RESULTS After 6 months , 1 occlusal surface in the test group and 2 occlusal surfaces in the control group showed carious lesions ( P=.15 ) . In the fifth year of follow-up , 2 occlusal surfaces in the test group and 7 occlusal surfaces in the control group were filled or carious ( P=.42 ) , and the mean number of sealed surfaces that became carious or filled was 0.2 ( 95 % confidence interval [CI]=0.02 - 0.70 ) for the GIC-sealed teeth and 0.6 ( 95 % CI=0.20 - 1.30 ) for the RBS-sealed teeth ( P=.30 ) . CONCLUSION High-viscosity glass ionomer cement can provide some level of protection against dental caries when used as a dental sealant in newly erupted permanent first molars Background The resin-based pit and fissure sealant is considered a successful tool in caries prevention , however there is a growing evidence of its use in controlling already established caries in posterior teeth . The aim of this clinical trial is to verify the efficacy of pit and fissure sealants in arresting dentinal caries lesions compared to partial excavation and restorative treatment in primary molar teeth . Methods Thirty six patients with occlusal cavitated primary molar reaching outer half of dentin were selected . The patients were r and omly allocated into two groups : sealant application ( experimental group – n = 17 ) and restoration with composite resin ( control group – n = 19 ) . Clinical and radiograph evaluation were performed after 6 , 12 and 18 months . The chi-square test was used to verify the distribution of characteristics variables of the sample among the groups . The survival rate of treatments was evaluated using Kaplan – Meier survival and log-rank test . Fisher ’s Exact and logistic regression tests were calculated in each evaluation period ( α = 5 % ) . Results The control group showed significantly better clinical survival after 18 months ( p = 0.0025 ) . In both groups , no caries progression was registered on the radiographic evaluations . Conclusions Sealing had similar efficacy in the arrestment of caries progression of cavitated occlusal lesions compared to partial excavation of the lesions , even though the frequency of re-treatments was significantly higher in sealed lesions . Trial registration Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos ( ReBEC ) : A clinical study to determine the effectiveness of an  enamel adhesive  in protecting pits and fissures from dental decay indicated that the technic has potential as a caries-preventive measure . The adhesive resin can be strongly bonded to enamel surfaces for comparatively long periods AIM The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of operators using The Canary System and DIAGNOdent  to detect natural pit and fissure caries under four commonly-used opaque dental sealants . METHODS Mixed sound and carious pits/fissures ( N = 105 ) selected from 40 human teeth were r and omly assigned ( 10 teeth/group ) to one of four opaque sealant groups ( Delton , Embrace WetBond , Helioseal F , UltraSeal XT Plus ) . Selected pits/fissures sites on occlusal surfaces were scanned with The Canary System and DIAGNOdent , sealed , re-scanned , and subjected to polarized light microscopy to confirm whether the scanned regions were sound or carious . Sensitivities and specificities for each detection method before and after sealant placement were calculated . RESULTS The Canary System and DIAGNOdent were able to distinguish between sound and carious tissue beneath opaque sealants with an accuracy of 76 % and 59 % , respectively . CONCLUSIONS The Canary System can serve as a clinical tool to aid dental professionals to detect and monitor the status of caries lesions and tooth structure underneath sealant . The increased likelihood of false-positive diagnoses with DIAGNOdent due to intrinsic auto-fluorescence of sealant filler and opacifying agents might limit its usefulness as an aid to detect caries underneath opaque sealants The aim of this study was to compare the retention and caries preventive efficacy of glass ionomer ( Fuji III ; GIC ) and light-cured resin-based ( Delton ; LCR ) fissure sealants .  One hundred and sixty-six 5 - 14-year-old schoolchildren received sealants on their newly erupted first or second molars ; a split mouth design was used . Previously reported 2-year results showed low retention rates for GIC sealants , but no difference in the caries increment between the groups . The same persons were invited to a dental check-up 6.1 to 7.8 ( mean 7.1 ) years after the application of sealants ;  111 persons ( 66.8 % of the original group ) participated in the study . The retention of sealants , and the caries status of occlusal surfaces and adjacent proximal surfaces was recorded . On the sealed occlusal surfaces , 10 % of GIC and 45 % of LCR sealants were totally and 9 % of GIC and 20 % of LCR sealants partially present . Twenty-three ( 23.5 % ) of the occlusal surfaces sealed with GIC and 16 ( 16.5 % ) of those sealed with LCR were carious or filled . Compared to LCR sealants , the effectiveness of GIC sealants  was -44 % ( 95 % CI -71 % , -16 % ) and net gain -7 % ( 95 % CI -18 % , 4 % ) . The relative risk of caries occurring was 1.44 ( 95 % CI 0.96 , 2.14 ) OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to investigate the caries-preventive effect of sealants produced with a high-viscosity glass-ionomer with an elevated powder-liquid ratio ( ART ) , of having energy added to this glass-ionomer , and that of glass-carbomer , in comparison to that of resin composite sealants . METHODS The r and omized controlled trial covered 407 children , with a mean age of 8 years . At a school compound three dentists placed sealants in pits and fissures of high caries-risk children . Evaluation by two independent evaluators was conducted after 0.5 , 1 and 2 years . The Kaplan-Meier survival method , ANOVA and t-test were used in analyzing the data . RESULTS 1352 first permanent molars were sealed . 6.6 % of children and 6.8 % of sealants dropped out within 2 years . 27 re-exposed pits and fissures , 20 in occlusal and 7 in smooth surfaces , in 25 children , developed a dentin carious lesion . The cumulative survival of dentin carious lesion-free pits and fissures in the  glass-carbomer sealant group was statistically significantly lower ( 97.4 % ) than those in the high-viscosity glass-ionomer with energy supplied ( 99 % ) and the resin-composite ( 98.9 % ) sealant groups . There was no statistically significant difference in the cumulative survival of dentin carious lesion-free pits and fissures , between the high-viscosity glass-ionomer with ( 99 % ) and without ( 98.3 % ) energy supplied sealant groups , after 2 years . SIGNIFICANCE The survival of dentin carious lesion-free pits and fissures was high in all sealant types . More dentin carious lesions were observed in the glass-carbomer sealant group OBJECTIVE This study aim ed to evaluate the progression of sealed non-cavitated dentinal occlusal caries in a r and omised controlled clinical trial . MATERIAL S AND METHODS Sixty teeth with non-cavitated dentinal occlusal caries were selected in patients with a high risk for caries . Patients were r and omly divided into two groups so that each group included 30 teeth . Patients in the experiment group were given oral hygiene instructions and a fissure sealant . Patients in the control group were given oral hygiene instructions only .  Caries progression and sealant loss were monitored over a period of 36 months by clinical and radiographic examinations . RESULTS Clinical and radiographic progression of caries was significantly more frequent in the control group than in the experiment group . Three teeth lost their sealant and showed caries progression , but this was apparent only at the 12-month follow-up . At the 24- and 36-month recall appointments , neither sealant loss nor caries progression were observed . CONCLUSION The pit and fissure sealant utilised in this study was shown to be effective in arresting carious lesions at 36 months OBJECTIVE The hypotheses tested were : the cumulative survival rates of dentin caries lesion-free pits and fissures of ART conventional high-viscosity glass-ionomer sealants with light-curing ( high-intensity LED ) and glass-carbomer sealants are higher than those of conventional ART sealants and resin-composite sealants after 4 years . METHODS The r and omized controlled clinical trial covered 405 children ( mean age 8-years ) . Three dentists placed sealants in pits and fissures of high caries-risk children . Evaluation by two independent evaluators was conducted after 0.5 , 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 years . The Kaplan-Meier survival method , ANOVA and t-test were used in data analyses . RESULTS 1304 first permanent molars were sealed . 12.3 % of children and 15.4 % of sealants dropped out . 46 re-exposed pits and fissures , 39 ( occlusal ) 7 ( free smooth surfaces ) , in 42 children developed a dentin carious lesion . The cumulative survival of dentin caries lesion-free occlusal pits and fissures in ART plus LED group ( 98 % ) was statistically significantly higher than in the resin-composite group ( 96.4 % ) and in the glass-carbomer group ( 94.5 % ) . The cumulative survival of dentin caries lesion-free occlusal pits and fissures in the glass-carbomer group was statistically significantly lower than that in the conventional ART group ( 97.3 % ) . For the free smooth surfaces , there was no statistically significantly difference among the four sealant groups . SIGNIFICANCE Light-cured ART conventional high-viscosity glass-ionomer sealants prevented the occurrence of dentin cavities best AIM This was to evaluate the efficacy of pit and fissure sealant ( FS ) using two different application techniques for caries prevention assessed at five and ten years . METHODS The study was conducted using Delton(R ) pit and fissures sealant applied with either rubber dam ( RD )  ( Group A : 50 children , 200 first permanent molars , 120 second permanent molars ) or cotton wool rolls ( CR )  ( Group B : 50 children , 200 first permanent molars , 112 second permanent molars ) . At five and ten years FS were evaluated for retention , loss and incidence of occlusal and proximal carious lesions recorded . STATISTICS The data were analysed with the Chi- square test comparing the results obtained for first permanent molars and second permanent molars at five and ten years . RESULTS There was no statistical difference between results in the two groups ( p < or = 0.05 ) . The highest retention rate , 81.7 % , was found for second permanent molars sealed under RD at the five year assessment . The lowest , 64.3 % also for second molars sealed under CR humidity control at ten years . CONCLUSIONS Pit and fissure sealants are a valid preventive approach that can be applied with similar results with rubber dam or cotton rolls The aim of the present trial was to ( 1 ) compare the caries-preventive effect of glass ionomer sealants , placed according to the atraumatic restorative treatment ( ART ) procedure , with composite resin sealants over time and ( 2 ) investigate the caries-preventive effect after complete disappearance of sealant material . Forty-six boys and 57 girls , mean age 7.8 years , were r and omly divided into two treatment groups in a parallel-group study design . A light-polymerized composite resin sealant material and a high-viscosity glass ionomer were each placed in 180 fully erupted first molars in their respective treatment groups . Evaluation took place annually for 5 years by calibrated examiners . After 5 years , 86 % composite resin and 88 % glass ionomer sealants did not survive . Three categories of re-exposure periods for caries development in pits and fissures after complete loss of sealants were distinguished : 0–1 , 1–2 and 2–3 years . In the 2- to 3-year group , 13 and 3 % of pits and fissures previously sealed with composite resin and glass ionomer , respectively , were diagnosed as having developed a dentine lesion . The relative risks ( 95 % CI ) of dentine lesion development in surfaces sealed with glass ionomer compared to those sealed with composite resin after 3 , 4 and 5 years were 0.22 ( 0.06–0.82 ) , 0.32 ( 0.14–0.73 ) and 0.28 ( 0.13–0.61 ) , respectively . The relative risks of dentine lesion development in pits and fissures previously sealed with glass ionomer compared with composite resin over re-exposure periods of 1–2 and 2–3 years were 0.26 ( 0.14–0.48 ) and 0.25 ( 0.09–0.68 ) , respectively . We conclude that the caries-preventive effect of high-viscosity glass ionomer sealants , placed using the ART procedure , was between 3.1 and 4.5 times higher than that of composite resin sealants after 3–5 years . Furthermore , high-viscosity ( ART ) glass ionomer sealants appear to have a four times higher chance of preventing caries development in re-exposed pits and fissures of occlusal surfaces in first molars than light-cured composite resin sealant material over a 1- to 3-year period . A well- design ed clinical trial using different types of oral health personnel should be implemented to confirm these initial results Background This article constitutes a partial up date of the original systematic review evidence by Yengopal et al. from 15 January 2008 ( published in the Journal of Oral Science in 2009 ) with primary focus on research quality in regard to bias risk in trials . Its aim is to up date the existing systematic review evidence from the English literature as to whether caries occurrence on pits and fissures of teeth sealed with either GIC or resin is the same . Methods In addition to the 12 trials included during the original systematic review , 5 new trials were identified during the data base search ( up to 26 August 2010 ) and 2 further trials were included from a h and search and reference check . Of these , 3 trials were excluded and 16 were accepted for data extraction and quality assessment . The quality of accepted trials was assessed , using up date d quality criteria , and the risk of bias was investigated in more depth than previously reported . In addition , the focus of quantitative synthesis was shifted to single data sets that were extracted from the accepted trials . Results Twenty-six dichotomous and 4 continuous data sets were extracted . Meta- analysis and cumulative meta- analysis were used in combining clinical ly homogenous data sets . The overall outcome of the computed data sets suggest no difference between the caries-preventive effects of GIC- and resin-based fissure sealants . Conclusions This overall outcome is in agreement with the conclusions of the original systematic review . Although the findings of the trials identified in this up date may be considered to be less affected by attrition- and publication bias , their risk of selection - and detection-/performance bias is high . Thus , verification of the currently available results requires further high quality r and omised control trials PURPOSE This prospect i ve clinical trial compared the retention rate and caries-preventive efficacy of two types of sealant modalities over a 3-year period . MATERIAL S AND METHODS Using a split-mouth r and omised design , 1280 sealants were r and omly applied on sound permanent second molars of 320 young patients aged between 12 and 16 years . Half of the teeth ( n = 640 ) were sealed with a resin-modified glass ionomer cement ( RMGIC ) ( Vitremer ™ , 3 M ESPE ) and the other half ( n = 640 ) with a conventional light-cure , resin-based fissure sealant ( LCRB ) ( Fluoroshield ® , Dentsply Caulk ) . Teeth were evaluated at baseline , 6- , 12- , 18- , 24- , 30- and 36-month intervals with regard to retention and new caries development . RESULTS On the sealed occlusal surfaces after 3 years , 5.10 % of RMGIC and 91.08 % of LCRB sealants were totally intact and 6.37 % of RMGIC and 7.65 % of LCRB sealants were partially intact . New caries lesions were found in 20.06 % of RMGIC sealed occlusal surfaces , compared to 8.91 % for LCRB sealants . CONCLUSIONS The findings of the present clinical study suggest that RMGIC should be used only as a transitional sealant that can be applied to newly erupting teeth throughout the eruptive process , whereas LCRB sealants are used to successfully prevent occlusal caries lesions once an effective rubber dam can be achieved . It can be concluded that there are differences between the RMGIC and LCRB sealants over a 3-year period in terms of the retention rate and caries-preventive efficacy . RMGIC can serve as a simple and economic sealing solution , however provisional . Due to its poor retention rate , periodic recalls are necessary , even after 6 months , to eventually replace the lost sealant A total of 220 children were examined at 4 1/2 years ( 54 months ) after a single application of a pit and fissure sealant . In 110 children , 177 permanent first molars were treated with Nuva-Seal ; and in 110 children , 168 permanent first molars were treated with Delton . Nuva-Seal was completely retained on 35 % of all paired permanent molars , partially retained on 21 % , and completely lost on 44 % of the study teeth . Delton was completely retained on 72 % of all paired permanent molars , partially retained on 14 % , and completely lost on 14 % of the study teeth . These data indicate that occlusal caries protection on permanent molars is assured if the sealant is completely retained on the tooth . Delton was four times more effective in providing protection against pit and fissure caries than Nuva-Seal The aim of this community-oriented study was to evaluate different methods to prevent fissure caries . The following products and measures were tested : 1 ) glass ionomer cement ( GIC ) applied by dentist ; 2 ) same material applied by short term ( 3 days ) trained personnel ( teachers ) ; 3 ) application of a 0.5 % HF solution three times ; 4 ) an established autopolymerized resin based sealant ( Delton ) . The study was performed in Bangkok , Thail and , a city in a developing country experiencing increasing caries prevalence . Children with at least three sound permanent molars from two age groups , 7 - 8 and 12 - 13-yr-olds respectively were chosen from very low to medium socioeconomic level families . 1264 children were systematic ally assigned to experiment or control groups based on school and DMFT . For the younger age group , the 2 yr mean DFS occlusal increment in the Control group was 0.66 surfaces . Significantly lower increments were observed in the GIC experimental group : 0.17 surfaces applied by the teachers and 0.32 applied by dentist , corresponding to 74 % and 52 % reductions , respectively . The mean increment in the HF group was 0.44 surfaces , a 33 % reduction in relation to the Control group . For the 12 - 13-yr-olds , the mean occlusal surface DF increment was 0.70 surfaces in the Control group . Almost no occlusal increment was found in the Delton group , 0.05 DFS , a 93 % reduction . In the GIC Dentist group , the DFS increment was 0.48 and in the Teacher group 0.56 , corresponding to 31 % and 20 % reduction , respectively . A slight and nonsignificant increase of caries in relation to the Control group was observed in the HF group . ( ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS AIM : This was to evaluate the attitudes and knowledge of Greek Dentists concerning fissure sealants ( FS ) and other preventive measurements , together with the extent and the reasons for using or not using FS in their clinical practice . METHODS : 1,221 general dental practitioners ( GDPs ) including 50 Paediatric Dentists ( PD ) were r and omly selected from 35 local dental societies of Greece and asked to answer a telephone question naire regarding their attitudes to prevention , use of FS and variables influencing their placement . Non parametric Pearson ’s Chi square test and multifactorial logistic regression models were used for analysing the data . RESULTS : Although 87.6 % of all Greek dentists believe and apply prevention , only 35.8 % are using them routinely . Factors highly correlated with FS usage for all dentists were using fluoride regimens ( p<0.001 ) , being in practice for 5–14 years ( p=0.004 ) and practicing in urban areas ( p<0.001 ) . By contrast , all PD were using FS , regardless of any parameter ( p>0.01 ) . Concerning the type of surfaces sealed , 45.6 % of GDP used FS  on intact surfaces and 41.1 % on question able , while only 15 % of them sealed incipient caries . Overall , fewer GDPs compared with PD sealed premolars , primary teeth , question able surfaces , incipient enamel caries and molars in high risk patients ( p<0.001 ) , while fewer PD sealed intact surfaces ( p≤0.001 ) . The reasons mentioned for not using FS were : 76.3 % that parents were unwilling to pay , 61.9 % did not know how to use them , while 43.0 % believed that oral hygiene was sufficient in order to reduce caries . CONCLUSIONS : Insufficient knowledge and lack of clinical practice guidelines for the use of FS by GDPs in Greece , leads to low usage rates . Appropriate professional and scientific authorities should join efforts to improve knowledge of GDP and instil confidence in using FS Abstract Fissure sealing using partially filled resins is an established caries preventive practice . Glass ionomer cement ( GIC ) sealants may offer additional advantages due to their ability to bond chemically to enamel and release fluoride . The aim of this study was to compare the caries preventive effect and retention of a GIC and a resin-based sealant . Ketac-fil ® was tested against a chemically cured resin-based material ( Delton ® ) using a split mouth design . Perth ( Western Australia ) schoolchildren ( n= 465 ) , mean age 7 yr±0.72 ( S.D. ) , received sealants  on the occlusal surfaces of sound homologous permanent first molar pairs .  Test ( GIC ) and control ( resin ) sealants were systematic ally allocated to left and right sides based on the child 's month of birth , and were placed by dental therapists . After 3.64±0.11 yr , 415 children were examined by different clinicians , and the clinical status of the teeth and the extent of sealant retention recorded . Sealants were deemed retained when at least 2/3 of the fissure pattern was still sealed . In 252 tooth pairs , neither sealant was retained to this extent . In 71 pairs , the GIC was not retained and the resin sealant retained . In 40 pairs the reverse occurred ( McNemar 's test , χ2= 8.66 , P < 0.005 ) . Net gain ( additional lesions prevented by the test agent per 100 treatments ) was 6.1%(95 % CI 3.3 % , 8.9 % ) . Effectiveness of the GIC was 80.6 % ( 95 % CI 59.6 % , 90.7 % ) . The relative risk of caries in test teeth was 0.19 ( 95 % CI 0.09 , 0.40 ) . The study suggests that complete retention of GIC sealant is not necessary for caries prevention in newly erupted permanent first molars To evaluate the retention and caries experience effects of three different material s used as fissure sealants after 24 months of clinical application : a resin-modified glass ionomer cement ( A ) , a flowable resin composite ( B ) and a compomer ( C ) .  One hundred and seventeen ( 117 ) teeth were sealed with material A , 119 teeth with material B and 120 teeth with material C. Children were r and omly assigned . Each one received only one of the material s studied .  Plaque index , dmft score and socioeconomic level were scored at baseline . The clinical exams were conducted 6 , 12 and 24 months after application of the sealant . Statistical analysis ( Kruskal-Wallis ) revealed that there were statistically significant differences between the retention rates of groups A and B and between groups B and C after 2 years , with material B showing better results . After 2 years , 3.1 % of the teeth of group A , 4.3 % of group B and 6.7 % of group C were Carious+Filled . There was no evidence of association between caries presence after 2 years and plaque index , dmft score and socioeconomic level . These results suggest that flowable resin composite had a satisfactory retention after this period of evaluation and all three material s were effective on occlusal caries prevention Aim and Objectives : Fissure caries is most common in children due to deep pit and fissures . Pit and fissure areas on the occlusal surface of the teeth make them susceptible to dental caries , which need to be prevented or restored . Fissures sealant reduces the risk of occlusal caries . The present study was done to evaluate microleakage and shear bond strength of various fissure sealants . Material s and Methods : Thirty-six extracted molars were r and omly allocated equally ( n = 12 ) into three groups with three different sealants to evaluate shear bond strength and microleakage at sealant space . The shear bond strengths was evaluated with one-way analysis of variance and microleakage by Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 18.0 ( Chicago : SPSS Inc , 2009 ) . Results : Tetric flow ( 16.8 MPa ) recorded the highest shear bond strength and the difference was statistically significant with enamel loc ( 12.8 MPa ) . There was no statistically significant difference in relation to microleakage ( P > 0.05 ) in the tested groups . Conclusions : Tetric flow recorded the highest shear bond strength and the difference was statistically significant with enamel loc . However , there was no statistically significant difference among the groups regarding microleakage Objectives The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microleakage and penetration of fissure sealant  in permanent molar teeth with fluorosis after pretreatment of the occlusal surface . Material s and Methods A total of 120 third molars with mild dental fluorosis were r and omly divided into 6 groups ( n = 20 ) . The tooth surfaces were sealed with an unfilled resin fissure sealant ( FS ) material . The experimental groups included : 1 ) phosphoric acid etching ( AE ) + FS ( control ) ; 2 ) AE + One-Step Plus ( OS , Bisco ) + FS ; 3 ) bur + AE + FS ; 4 ) bur + AE + OS + FS ; 5 ) Er : YAG laser + AE + FS ; and 6 ) Er : YAG laser + AE + OS + FS . After thermocycling , the teeth were immersed in 0.5 % fuchsin and sectioned . Proportions of mircoleakage ( PM ) and unfilled area ( PUA ) were measured by digital microscope . Results Overall , there were significant differences among all groups in the PM ( p = 0.00 ) . Group 3 showed the greatest PM , and was significantly different from groups 2 to 6 ( p < 0.05 ) . Group 6 showed the lowest PM . Pretreatment with Er : YAG with or without adhesive led to less PM than bur pretreatment . There were no significant differences among groups in PUA . Conclusions Conventional acid etching provided a similar degree of occlusal seal in teeth with fluorosis compared to those pretreated with a bur or Er : YAG laser . Pretreatment of pits and fissures with Er : YAG in teeth with fluorosis may be an alternative method before fissure sealant application Objectives : The objectives of this study were to measure the caries preventive effect of sealants applied to occlusal surfaces of primary molars compared to fluoride varnish applications , and to assess the retention rate of sealants  after 1 year . Methods : 147 first- grade pupils from two kindergarten schools in Kuwait , whose parents gave their written consent , were included . The children were examined by one dentist using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System . After the examination , sealants and fluoride varnish were applied on the selected occlusal surfaces of primary molars by another dentist . The jaw quadrant for intervention was selected r and omly ; molars on the contralateral side of the mouth received the contralateral intervention . Examinations and intervention were provided on the school premises in the mobile dental unit with a portable spotlight . Moisture was controlled by cotton rolls , suction and air drying . The follow-up examinations were conducted after 1 year . All children received fluoride varnish before and 6 months after the intervention . Results : From 267 matched pairs of occlusal surfaces of primary molars , varnished surfaces were significantly more likely to develop new caries lesions than the sealed ones ( odds ratio = 2.92 ; 95 % confidence interval = 1.82 - 4.71 ) during the 1-year follow-up . The majority ( 73.0 % ) of the sealants were completely retained and 15.1 % partially . Conclusions : Sealing fissures seems to be better in preventing occlusal caries lesions in primary molars than applying only fluoride varnish . After 1 year , the majority of sealants were retained sound Sealing occlusal pits and fissures with resin-based sealants is a proven method of preventing occlusal caries . Retention of the sealant is very essential for its efficiency . This study evaluated the retention of glass ionomer used as a fissure sealant when compared to a self-cure resin-based sealant .  One hundred and seven children between the ages of 6 - 9 years , with all four newly erupted permanent first molars were selected . Two permanent first molars on one side of the mouth were sealed with Delton , a resin-based sealant , and the contralateral two permanent first molars were sealed with Fuji VII glass ionomer cement .  Evaluation of sealant retention was performed at regular intervals over 12 months , using Simonsen 's criteria . At the end of the study period , the retention of the resin sealant  was seen to be superior to that of the glass ionomer sealant
The best retention capacity of the material in time has been obtained from the use of RB Sealants compared to RMGI , demonstrating retention values much lower with partial loss of material at a distance of one year from the clinic .
The compomers demonstrate retention values intermediates .
The incidence of caries in a year is negligible for all sealants application .
In terms of retention , resin-based sealants ( RB Sealants ) are the material s that give more guarantees of success at 12 months , while in the same period there have n't been significant differences in caries prevention of disease among the various classes sealing material s analyzed
UNLABELLED The occlusal surface is the most affected area by dental caries and the sealing of the pits and of the fissures has been found , in time , the preventive method most effective trying to counteract the onset .
Currently , the WHO considers it as a primary preventive measure , in other words one of the most effective and least invasive available to ensure the complete protection and the total preservation of the occlusal carious by the phenomenon .
PURPOSE THE AIM OF THIS WORK HAS BEEN TO PERFORM A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON CLINICAL TRIALS OF DIFFERENT SEALING MATERIAL S , IN ORDER TO : compare their individual characteristics , highlight the reliability and the long-term efficacy and identify the most significant variables , both technological and clinics , in order to declare whether or not the success of this method prior .