Ulusu T1, Odabaş ME, Tüzüner T, Baygin O, Sillelioğlu H, Deveci C, Gökdoğan FG, Altuntaş A.
Author information:
1Department of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Gazi, Faculty of Dentistry, 8. Cadde 82.Sokak 06510 Emek Ankara, Turkey.
Abstract
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, randomised 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 materials 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 researchers 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.
PMID: 22449810 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
1. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2012 Apr;13(2):94-7.