A 24-month study comparing sealant and fluoride varnish in caries reduction on different permanent first molar surfaces.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the separate effects of dental sealants and fluoride varnish on dental caries in fissured and nonfissured surfaces of permanent first molars.


METHODS
A clinical trial was conducted with three groups of 6- to 8-year-old schoolchildren: a sealant group (n = 100), in which Delton was applied to first molars; a varnish group (n = 98), in which Duraphat was applied to first molars; and a control group (n = 116), which had no intervention as part of the study. Absolute and percent caries reductions were compared at 24 months.


RESULTS
Compared to the controls, sealants resulted in a 68 percent and 87 percent reduction on fissured and nonfissured surfaces, respectively. The corresponding figures for varnish were 38 percent and 66 percent.


CONCLUSIONS
Sealant and fluoride varnish are effective in preventing caries in both fissured and nonfissured surface.
Bravo
M
M
Departamento de Odontología Preventiva, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain. mbravo@platon.ugr.es
Baca
P
P
Llodra
J C
JC
Osorio
E
E
D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D010150:Paint; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012923:Social Class; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; C023807:sodium fluoride topical preparation; D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate; D012969:Sodium Fluoride