title: Soft-start polymerization of fissure sealant: retention after three years.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate retention of composite fissure sealant polymerized with standard and soft-start technique after a three year clinical trial. One hundred teeth were divided into two groups (A&B) of teeth and sealed with composite material (Visioseal, 3M Espe) using split mouth design. Sealants were polymerized using standard (Group A) and soft-start (Group B) techniques with commercial polymerization unit (Elipar Highlight, 3M Espe). Retention rate in Group A was 72%. In 14 teeth sealant was partially or completely missing. Group B showed retention rate of 80%. Sealant was partially or completely missing in 10 teeth. Six new caries lesions in Group A (3) and B (3) were detected. Mann-Whitney test did not reveal significant differences between the polymerization techniques. After three years complete retention of sealants, regardless of the group, was 76% (76 teeth) with six new caries lesions. Soft-start polymerization showed a comparable retention rate as the standard polymerization technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. domagoj.glavina@zg.t-com.hr
authors.forename: Domagoj
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Glavina
authors.forename: Dubravka Negovetić
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Vranić
authors.forename: Sandra Anić
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Milosević
authors.forename: Većeslav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Majstorović
authors.forename: Ilija
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Skrinjarić
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D011108:Polymers