A 3-year clinical evaluation of glass-ionomer cements used as fissure sealants.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the retention and caries-preventive effectiveness of two ionomeric materials (conventional and resin-modified), used as fissure sealants.


METHODS
100 children (6-8 years old) with a total of 400 permanent first molars received 200 conventional glass-ionomer (Ketac Bond) and 200 resin-modified glass-ionomer (Vitremer) sealants. Additionally, 108 children constituted the control group (432 teeth). Two dentists assisted by dental hygienists performed the sealant application. Clinical evaluations were carried out 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after the sealant application by two other dentists, not carrying out clinical procedures, previously calibrated (Kappa > 0.75).


RESULTS
Total retention rates of 26%, 12%, 3%, and 4% for Ketac Bond and 61%, 31%, 14%, and 13% for Vitremer, being 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after clinical evaluation, respectively. The differences between the two materials were statistically significant. The experimental groups showed a caries incidence of 93%, 78%, 49%, and 56% lower than the control group (P< 0.01) for the four evaluation periods, respectively. In conclusion, the retention rates of ionomeric materials were low. Nevertheless, these materials showed a cariostatic effect, supported by statistically lower caries incidence in experimental groups compared to control group. Presence of active incipient caries was statistically associated with caries incidence in the first molars after 36 months, in relation to either experimental or control group.
Department of Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. apereira@fop.unicamp.br
Antonio Carlos
AC
Pereira
Vanessa
V
Pardi
Fábio Luiz
FL
Mialhe
Marcelo de Castro
Mde C
Meneghim
Gláucia Maria Bovi
GM
Ambrosano
D002648:Child; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000628:therapy; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003188:Composite Resins; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; C084550:Vitremer; C061499:Ketac-Bond