The content of these signals suggest that higher precision of the current systematic review results might be achieved if an up date of the current review were conducted at this point in time .
However , these signals further indicate that such systematic review up date , despite its higher precision , would only confirm the existing review conclusion that no statistically significant difference exists in the caries-preventive effect of GIC and resin-based fissure sealants .
In conclusion , this study demonstrated the modified Ottawa method as an effective tool in establishing the up date need of the systematic review .
OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the application of the modified Ottawa method by establishing the up date need of a systematic review with focus on the caries preventive effect of GIC versus resin pit and fissure sealants ;  to answer the question as to whether the existing conclusions of this systematic review are still current ; to establish whether a new up date of this systematic review was needed .
Caries-preventive effect of sealants produced with altered glass-ionomer materials, after 2 years.
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
The content of these signals suggest that higher precision of the current systematic review results might be achieved if an up date of the current review were conducted at this point in time .
However , these signals further indicate that such systematic review up date , despite its higher precision , would only confirm the existing review conclusion that no statistically significant difference exists in the caries-preventive effect of GIC and resin-based fissure sealants .
In conclusion , this study demonstrated the modified Ottawa method as an effective tool in establishing the up date need of the systematic review .
OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the application of the modified Ottawa method by establishing the up date need of a systematic review with focus on the caries preventive effect of GIC versus resin pit and fissure sealants ;  to answer the question as to whether the existing conclusions of this systematic review are still current ; to establish whether a new up date of this systematic review was needed .