title: Clinical and antibacterial effectiveness of three different sealant materials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this work is to study and compare the retention rate, caries-preventing and antibacterial effects of resin-modified glass ionomer and flowable composite in comparison to conventional fissure sealant.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five children aged 7-10 years with newly erupted lower first permanent molars were randomly divided into three equal treatment groups. Group I: sealed by a conventional resin sealant; Group II: sealed by resin modified glass ionomer (RMGI); and Group III: sealed by flowable composite. Retention and caries status of the sealed teeth were recorded after 1 month, 6 months, year and 2 years. In addition, Streptococcus mutans counts were assessed at baseline, 1 day, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after sealant application. Data were analyzed by Fisher exact, chi-square and ANOVA tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group III and Group I showed significantly higher retention rates than Group II fissure sealant (p<0.05). There were no differences of the caries-preventive effects between the tested sealant materials throughout the duration of the study. Streptococcus mutans counts were significantly lower in group II compared to group I or group III up to 6 months of the study (p<0.05). After 1 year of the study the differences of Streptococcus mutans counts were not significant (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicated a lower retention of RMGI compared to flowable composite and resin sealant without significant difference in caries prevention or long-term bacterial inhibition.
authors.affiliation: Dental Public Health and Preventive Dentistry, Pedodontic and Dental Public Health Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Egypt. Hatem_ameen2@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Hatem E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Amin
mesh_terms: D000134:Acid Etching, Dental; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012117:Resins, Synthetic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003188:Composite Resins; C079765:Fuji II LC cement; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D019279:Resin Cements; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; C452226:tetric flow composite resin; C059908:Helioseal