Retention of glassionomer sealant in primary teeth in young children.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to determine the retention of glassionomer sealants in primary teeth of preschool children.


METHODS
Fissure sealants (Fuji II LC) were placed on primary molars, without conditioner, by two experienced dentists under good clinical conditions in well equipped clinics and with the assistance of a chair side dental assistant. Sealants were scored as "fully retained", "partly retained", or "completely lost" after two years.


RESULTS
There were 65 children included, out of which 29 had all primary molars. Mean age at the time of sealing was slightly less than 41/2 years. Mean follow-up time was two years. About 75% of the sealants placed in second primary molars were fully or partly retained after 12 months, compared with less that 50% of the sealants placed in first primary molars. New carious lesions were too few to allow for an assessment of whether the sealants were effective in preventing caries.


CONCLUSIONS
Retention rates for glass ionomer fissure sealants were satisfactory. However, high quality randomised clinical trials to estimate the caries preventive effect are still needed.
Poulsen
P
P
Department of Community Oral Health and Pediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012117:Resins, Synthetic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013499:Surface Properties; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology*
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; C079765:Fuji II LC cement; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D019279:Resin Cements; D012117:Resins, Synthetic