This systematic review with meta- analysis found no evidence that either material was superior to the other in the prevention of dental caries .
Thus , both material s appear equally suitable for clinical application as a fissure sealant material
The purpose of this quantitative systematic review was to appraise the evidence on the  caries-preventive effect of glass ionomer cement ( GIC ) in relation to  resin-based fissure sealants .
Retention of a glass ionomer cement and a resin-based fissure sealant and effect on carious outcome after 7 years.
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 )
This systematic review with meta- analysis found no evidence that either material was superior to the other in the prevention of dental caries .
Thus , both material s appear equally suitable for clinical application as a fissure sealant material
The purpose of this quantitative systematic review was to appraise the evidence on the  caries-preventive effect of glass ionomer cement ( GIC ) in relation to  resin-based fissure sealants .