Clinical comparison of a flowable composite and fissure sealant: a 24-month split-mouth, randomized, and controlled study. Clinical evaluation of sealants and preventive resin restorations in a group of environmentally homogeneous children. Randomized, controlled trial comparing the retention of a flowable restorative system with a conventional resin sealant: one-year follow up. Do light cured ART conventional high-viscosity glass-ionomer sealants perform better than resin-composite sealants: a 4-year randomized clinical trial. The success rates of a glass ionomer cement and a resin-based fissure sealant placed by fifth-year undergraduate dental students Clinical evaluation of three different materials used as pit and fissure sealant: 24-months results. Caries-preventive effect of sealants produced with altered glass-ionomer materials, after 2 years. Retention of a resin-based sealant and a glass ionomer used as a fissure sealant: a comparative clinical study. Use of Pit-and-Fissure Sealants. Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guideline for the Use of Pit-and-Fissure Sealants. Comparison of Retention Rates of Fissure Sealants Using Two Flowable Restorative Materials and a Conventional Resin Sealant: Two-Year Follow-Up Caries-Preventive Effect of a One-Time Application of Composite Resin and Glass Ionomer Sealants after 5 Years A 2-year clinical evaluation of two pit and fissure sealants placed with and without the use of a bonding agent. Handling and clinical performance of a glass ionomer sealant. Clinical evaluation of a medium-filled flowable restorative material as a pit and fissure sealant. Caries-preventive effect of glass ionomer and resin-based fissure sealants on permanent teeth: An update of systematic review evidence Clinical and antibacterial effectiveness of three different sealant materials. Fissure sealing with a light-cured resin-reinforced glass-ionomer cement (Vitrebond) compared with a resin sealant. In vitro evaluation of sealing pits and fissures with newer glass-ionomer cements developed for the ART technique. A two-year clinical evaluation of pit and fissure sealants placed with and without air abrasion pretreatment in teenagers. Comparison of acid versus laser etching on the clinical performance of a fissure sealant: 24-month results. Randomized Trial on Fluorides and Sealants for Fissure Caries Prevention Pit and fissure sealants: results at five and ten years.
OBJECTIVES The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the retention rate and caries-prevention effect of a flowable composite compared to a conventional resin-based sealant in a young population over a 24-month period . METHODS Thirty-four patients , ranging in age from 16 to 22 years , diagnosed with at least 2 non-cavitated pit- and -fissure caries in the first and second molars were selected for this r and omized split-mouth design trial . A total of 220 sealants , were placed in 117 upper molars and 103 lower molars . The teeth were sealed with a flowable resin composite ( Tetric Evo Flow ) or a sealant material ( Helioseal F ) . Each restoration was independently evaluated in terms of retention and the presence of caries at baseline and at 1 , 6 , 12 , and 24 months . Data were analyzed using non-parametric Mann-Whitney U and Friedman 1-way ANOVA tests at p<0.05 . RESULTS Tetric Evo Flow showed complete retention with 100 % , 95.5 % , 93.8 % , and 88.5 % at 1 , 6 , 12 , and 24-month evaluations , respectively , while Helioseal F retention rates were 98.1 % , 95.5 % , 94.8 % , and 85.4 % , respectively , for the same evaluation periods . At the 24-month recall , 4 ( 4.2 % ) total losses were observed in subjects treated with Tetric Evo Flow and 2 total losses ( 2.1 % ) for Helioseal F , respectively . No significant differences were observed between the material s in retention rates or caries incidence for each evaluation period ( p>0.05 ) . CONCLUSION Placement of flowable composite as fissure sealants in the younger population seems to be as effective as conventional fluoride containing fissure sealants for the prevention of fissure caries . CLINICAL RELEVANCE The use of a flowable composite as a fissure sealant material , in conjunction with a total-etch , single bottle adhesive , yielded better retention than did the conventional fluoride containing resin-based fissure sealant over a 24-month period in young patients PURPOSE Pit and fissure sealants reduce occlusal caries when proper patient selection and application techniques are followed . To increase retention rate of sealants over time , good adaptation and deep sealant penetration are important . Studies remain inconclusive , however , as to determining if the bur preparation of pits and fissures would increase the adaptation and penetration thus improving sealant retention . The aim of this study was to assess if tooth preparation prior to sealant application improves sealant retention . METHODS In this prospect i ve cohort study , 43 children and adolescents from 4 Hutterites colonies were , for 3 years , bussed to the University of Manitoba pediatric dental clinic , Winnipeg , Manitoba , Canada , for comprehensive dental care including  sealant placement  using st and ard procedures . These came from a community with homogeneous social economical status , dietary habits , fluoride intake , and lifestyles . The decision of tooth preparation prior to sealant application was made ad hoc . Of 122 treated permanent posterior teeth , 54 had been treated as preventive resin restorations ( PRRs , type A or B ) and 68 were nonprepared sealants .  RESULTS After 1 year , teeth prepared ( type B PRRs ) and restored with flowable composite resins had significantly ( P<.01 ) lower retention rates ( 27 % vs 63 % ) than did teeth with nonprepared sealants or typeA PRRs . Teeth prepared ( type B PRRs ) were also significantly ( P<.001 ) more likely to have caries on follow-up examination ( 50 % vs 11 % ) than were teeth with nonprepared sealants or type A PRRs . CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that preventive resin type B restorations restored with flowable composites are not helpful in terms of retention or caries reduction UNLABELLED This clinical trial evaluated the retention rate of a flowable restorative system ( Bond 1 + Flow-It ! ) used as a pit- and -fissure sealant compared with a conventional filled resin sealant ( Fluroshield ) over a 1-year period . METHOD Using a half-mouth design , 160  sealants  ( 80 in primary and 80 in permanent teeth ) were placed on sound first/second primary molars and first permanent molars of 40 children aged between 4 and 7 years . For both primary and permanent dentitions , half the teeth ( n = 40 ) were sealed with Fluroshield and half ( n = 40 ) with Bond 1 + Flow-It ! Teeth were evaluated at baseline , 6- and 12-month intervals . RESULTS For both material s , there was no total loss of sealants placed on either the primary or permanent molars over 1 year . From Fluroshield sealants placed on primary teeth , 33 were completely intact after 6 months and 31 after 1 year . From those placed on permanent molars , no loss of material was observed after 6 months , while partial loss was noticed on 5 % of teeth at 1-year recall . For Flow-It ! resin applied on primary molars , partial loss of material was observed in only 1 sealant after 6 months and in 2 sealants after 1 year . On permanent teeth , 100 % retention rate was observed over a 1-year follow up . There was a statistically significant difference ( P < 0.01 ) between the sealing material s on primary but not permanent teeth , and , overall , Flow-It ! sealants presented a higher retention rate at both 6-month and 1-year evaluations . Significant differences ( P < 0.01 ) between baseline and the other evaluation periods were also observed . CONCLUSION It may be concluded that the flowable restorative system yielded optimal retention on both primary and permanent molars . Its retention rate was significantly higher than that of the conventional pit- and -fissure sealant on primary teeth 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 : To evaluate retention and caries prevention of a glass-ionomer cement ( GIC ) and a resin-based fissure sealant placed by fifth-year undergraduate dental students . METHODS : The study was conducted according to a split-mouth , r and omised clinical trial . Children with at least one pair of caries-free permanent first molars with deep pits and fissures were included in the study . The children were selected from a population that had a high risk for dental caries .  Sealant material s were applied by fifth-year undergraduate dental students on 346  fissures of the first permanent molars in 173 children . The ages of the children ranged from 7–15 years ( mean 9.4 ) . Two research ers at the clinics supervised all of the procedures . Intra-examiner reproducibility and inter-examiner reproducibility were 0.90 and 0.86 , respectively , for the clinical assessment of sealant retention and caries evaluation . RESULTS :  GIC sealants were completely lost in 31.9 % and resin-based sealants in 16.6 % ( p<0.05 ) . The total retention rates of GIC sealants and resin-based sealants were 13.8 % and 20.8 % , respectively . After 24 months , the caries increment was 3.4 % for GIC sealants and 4.8 % for resin-based sealants ( p>0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS : The retention of GIC sealants was markedly inferior to the retention of resin-based sealants ; however , GIC when used as a pit and fissure sealant was slightly more effective in preventing occlusal caries 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 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 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 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 Objective : The purpose of this clinical study was to compare the retention rates of two flowable restorative systems ( Admira Flow and Gr and io Flow ) with that of a conventional resin-based sealant ( Fissurit F ) . Material s and Methods : The study was planned as a clinical trial with a split-mouth design . A total of 122 sealants ( 38 Admira Flow , 41 Gr and io Flow , 43 Fissurit F ) were r and omly applied to completely erupted permanent molars in 35 patients aged 9–20 years and followed up for 24 months . Data were analyzed using Pearson ’s χ2 and multiple comparison tests . Results : At the end of the follow-up period , Fissurit F had higher retention rates ( 81.0 % ) than both Admira Flow ( 60.5 % ) and Gr and io Flow ( 57.1 % ) , with p < 0.05 . However , there was no significant difference in caries development among groups ( p > 0.05 ) . Conclusion : The two flowable composite resin material s used as fissure sealant were less retentive than the conventional resin sealant 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 The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether the clinical effectiveness of pit and fissure sealant  was increased ( as demonstrated by an increased retention rate ) when a bonding agent was used prior to the placement of the sealant . Two pit and fissure sealants , Concise Light Cured White Sealant and Prisma Shield Light Cured Sealant , were placed in vivo with and without the use of the bonding agents , Scotchbond 2 and Prisma Universal Bond . After 2 years , 55 % of the sample was available for recall . The retention rates for the sealants were 77 % for Concise with Scotchbond 2 , 84 % for Concise with no bonding agent , 77 % for Prisma Shield with Universal Bond , and 77 % for Prisma Shield with no bonding agent . Results of this study indicated that the use of a bonding agent prior to the application of a pit and fissure sealant does not increase the retention rate PURPOSE To compare the h and ling and 6-month clinical performance of an experimental resin-modified glass ionomer cement ( K-512 = Fuji III LC ) with that of a light-cured resin-based sealant ( Delton Opaque ) when used as a pit and fissure sealant in 15 - 27 year old subjects . MATERIAL S AND METHODS Seventeen patients with 65 cement and 55 resin-based sealants  were recalled after 6 months for clinical examination and color photographs . RESULTS Sealant retention failures requiring retreatment were 74 % for the glass ionomer cement sealant and 11 % for the resin-based sealant , with one instance of fissure caries being found for each material . The resin-modified glass ionomer cement sealant showed a slight darkening from its initial placement , and was also more difficult to h and le than the resin-based sealant This clinical study evaluated the retention rate and caries protection of a medium-filled ( 46 % volume ) flowable restorative material ( CuRay-Match , OMNII Oral Pharmaceuticals , West Palm Beach , FL 33409 , USA ) compared to an unfilled sealant ( Delton , Dentsply Caulk , Milford , DE 19963 , USA ) . Using a half-mouth design , sealants were applied on r and omly assigned caries-free first and /or second permanent molars of 32 children ranging in age from 6 - 11 years . A total of 118 teeth were etched , dried and sealed . Teeth were evaluated at one , six and 18-month intervals . After one month , 52 teeth sealed with unfilled sealant were intact compared with 46 sealed with a medium-filled resin , and after six months , 36 teeth sealed with an unfilled sealant were intact compared with 27 that were sealed with a medium-filled resin . After 18 months , 29 teeth were still fully sealed with an unfilled sealant , whereas 18 were sealed with a medium-filled resin . The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant . Regarding caries development , four teeth sealed with a medium-filled material and five teeth sealed with an unfilled sealant were decayed after 18 months . These results indicate that a medium-filled flowable restorative material did not perform better in retention rate and caries increment when compared to an unfilled conventional sealant . However , the effect of the additional techniques , such as the use of bonding agent and fissurotomy on retention rates should be evaluated in further studies 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 The aim of this work is to study and compare the retention rate , caries-preventing and antibacterial effects of resin-modified glass ionomer and flowable composite in comparison to conventional fissure sealant . METHODS Forty-five children aged 7 - 10 years with newly erupted lower first permanent molars were r and omly divided into three equal treatment groups . Group I : sealed by a conventional resin sealant ; Group II : sealed by resin modified glass ionomer ( RMGI ) ; and Group III : sealed by flowable composite .  Retention and caries status of the sealed teeth were recorded after 1 month , 6 months , year and 2 years . In addition , Streptococcus mutans counts were assessed at baseline , 1 day , 1 month , 6 months , 1 year and 2 years after sealant application . Data were analyzed by Fisher exact , chi-square and ANOVA tests . RESULTS Group III and Group I showed significantly higher retention rates than Group II fissure sealant ( p<0.05 ) . There were no differences of the caries-preventive effects between the tested sealant material s throughout the duration of the study . Streptococcus mutans counts were significantly lower in group II compared to group I or group III up to 6 months of the study ( p<0.05 ) . After 1 year of the study the differences of Streptococcus mutans counts were not significant ( p>0.05 ) . CONCLUSION This study indicated a lower retention of RMGI compared to flowable composite and resin sealant without significant difference in caries prevention or long-term bacterial inhibition The aims of the present study were to evaluate the retention and caries-preventive effect of a single application of a light-cured resin-reinforced glass-ionomer cement ( Vitrebond ) in pits and fissures of newly erupted permanent first and second molars , when compared with a single application of a resin-based sealant ( Concise White Sealant ) during a 3-year period . The study group comprised 73 pairs of contralateral newly erupted permanent first and second molars ( 136 fissure sites ) in 53 children ( 29 girls , 24 boys ) . A split-mouth experimental design was used in which the two sealants were r and omly allocated to one of the teeth within each pair . Acid etching was not used before application of the glass-ionomer cement . The sealed teeth were checked for retention and caries after 1 , 6 , 12 , 24 and 36 months . The resin-based sealant was almost totally retained after 3 years ( 97 % ) and there was no caries in these teeth . The glass-ionomer cement was increasingly lost and could be observed in only 9 % of the sealed sites after 3 years . Carious lesions developed in 10 ( 7.4 % ) sites ( nine teeth , seven children ) . It was concluded that the resin-based sealant is superior to the glass-ionomer cement in preventing caries , and that the superior retention of the resin probably is an important factor for this Four conventional glass-ionomer cements specifically developed for use with the atraumatic restorative treatment ( ART ) technique were compared with a resin-based sealant for marginal and surface dye penetration , material voids , and completeness of enamel fissure penetration .  Thirty sound permanent m and ibular molar teeth were r and omly divided into five groups . After delayed placement of the glass-ionomer cement sealants using st and ardized finger pressure , and conventional placement of the resin-based sealant using a dental probe , the teeth were first thermocycled then the crowns immersed in methylene blue dye before being sectioned . There were no statistically significant differences found between any of the five material s , apart from less marginal dye leakage being present for the resin-based sealant than for one of the glass-ionomer cements . The cements , however , showed better fissure penetration than did the sealant . Despite the delayed placement and higher viscosity , all of the glass-ionomer cements showed satisfactory penetration of the enamel fissures and minimal marginal and surface dye penetration , and material voids , when placed using firm finger pressure . The cements could prove to be useful in the dental treatment of apprehensive children BACKGROUND Long-term retention of pit and fissure sealants is essential for their success . The aim of this study was to compare the retention rates of sealants placed with acid-etching and air abrasion followed by acid etching . METHODS Sixteen subjects aged 16 and 17 years were included in the study . Using a half-mouth design , the authors performed fissure preparation with phosphoric acid gel on r and omly assigned maxillary and m and ibular permanent premolars and molars from one side of the mouth ( Group I ) and performed air abrasion followed by acid etching on the contralateral side of the mouth ( Group II ) . The authors applied sealant material on 162 teeth , and they evaluated the sealants as complete retention , partial loss or total loss at six , 12 and 24 months . RESULTS While fissure sealant retention rates were not significantly different for the two techniques at six months ( P = .97 ) , the retention rates for the teeth in Group II were significantly higher at 12 ( P = .025 ) and 24 months ( P = .002 ) . Molar retention rates were significantly less than those for premolars at each evaluation period ( P < .05 ) . CONCLUSION The sealant retention rates at 12 and 24 months were higher in Group II ( air abrasion followed by acid etching ) . CLINICAL IMPLICATION S As air abrasion followed by acid etching result ed in significantly higher sealant retention rates , this method could be a good choice for fissure preparation before sealant placement for long-term success OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical performance of a pit and fissure sealant placed with the use of different enamel preparation methods , i.e. acid or Er , Cr : YSGG laser etching , over 24 months . METHODS Sixteen subjects ( 15 female , 1 male ) with no restorations or sealant present on their fissures and no detectable caries participated . Using a table of r and om numbers , a total of 112 sealants  ( 56 with acid-etching , 56 with laser etching ) were placed on the permanent premolar and molar teeth . All restorative procedures except for application of the laser were performed by the same dentist . After completion of the fissure preparation either with acid or laser , the adhesive was applied ; then a pit and fissure sealant , Clinpro Sealant , was placed and polymerized . Clinical evaluations were done at baseline and at 6- , 12- , 18- , and 24-month follow-up visits by two calibrated examiners , who were unaware of which etching method had been used . The retention of sealants and caries were evaluated with the aid of a dental explorer and an intra-oral mirror . Each sealant was evaluated using the following criteria : 1=completely retained ; 2= partial loss ; 3= total loss . The Pearson chi-square test was used to evaluate differences in the retention rates among the sealants used with different etching methods . RESULTS All patients attended the 24-month follow-up visit and all sealants were evaluated ( total recall rate 100 % ) . At the end of 24 months , 83.9 % of the sealants from laser group and 85.7 % of those from acid-etch group were recorded as " completely retained " . There were no statistically significant differences in retention rates among the preparation methods after all evaluation periods ( p>0.05 ) . No statistically significant differences were found between the retention rates of premolar and molars at each evaluation period . No secondary caries was detected in association with any sealants . CONCLUSION The clinical performance of fissure sealants placed after acid or Er , Cr : YSGG laser etching was similar To investigate the effectiveness of topical fluorides in preventing fissure caries , we conducted a r and omized controlled trial with parallel groups . In total , 501 children ( 1,539 molars , 3,078 sites ) , mean age 9.1 years , who had at least one sound permanent first molar with deep fissures or fissures with signs of early caries were recruited . They were r and omly allocated among four groups : ( 1 ) resin sealant , single placement ; ( 2 ) 5 % NaF varnish , semi-annual application ; ( 3 ) 38 % silver diamine fluoride ( SDF ) solution , annual application ; and ( 4 ) placebo control . Follow-up examinations were conducted every 6 months by a masked examiner . After 24 months , 485 children ( 97 % ) were examined . Proportions of pit/fissure sites with dentin caries in the sealant , NaF , SDF , and control groups were 1.6 % , 2.4 % , 2.2 % , and 4.6 % , respectively . A multi-level logistic regression analysis accounting for the effects of data clustering and confounding factors showed that fissures in any of the three treatment groups had significantly lower risks of carious cavity development into dentin than did controls ( p < 0.05 ) . We concluded that placement of resin sealant , semi-annual application of NaF varnish , and annual application of SDF solution are all effective in preventing pit and fissure caries in permanent molars ( Clinical Trials.gov number CT01446107 ) 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
Conclusion It seems that the use of flowable composite as a fissure sealing material can slightly increase the retention rate of sealants compared with conventional resin-based sealants
Objectives The aim of this systematic review and meta- analysis was to evaluate fissure sealant retention in clinical studies in which investigators used flowable composites as pit and fissure sealants compared with conventional resin-based pit and fissure sealants .