Sealant and fluoride varnish in caries: a randomized trial.
Little is known about the effect of discontinuation of sealant or fluoride varnish. The purpose of this study was to compare sealant with fluoride varnish in the prevention of occlusal caries in permanent first molars of children over a nine-year period: 4 yrs for program evaluation plus 5 yrs of discontinuation. A clinical trial was conducted on three groups of six- to eight-year-old schoolchildren: a control group (n = 45); a group (n = 37) in which sealant was applied and reapplied up to 36 mos; and a group (n = 38) in which fluoride varnish was applied and re-applied up to 42 mos. Percent caries reduction was studied in these initially healthy molars with complete occlusal eruption: 129 (control), 113 (sealant), and 129 (varnish) molars met inclusion criteria. Of these, 76.7%, 26.6%, and 55.8% had developed occlusal caries at 9 yrs, which implies caries reductions of 65.4% (SE = 8.5%) for sealants vs. control and 27.3% (SE = 10.2%) for varnish vs. control. Furthermore, the varnish program was not effective during the discontinuation period.
Bravo
M
M
Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Campus de Cartuja s/n, University of Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain. mbravo@ugr.es
Montero
J
J
Bravo
J J
JJ
Baca
P
P
Llodra
J C
JC
D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; C023807:sodium fluoride topical preparation; D017438:Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate; D012969:Sodium Fluoride