title: Efficacy of a moisture-tolerant material for fissure sealing: a prospective randomised clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fissure sealings offer nearly complete protection against fissure caries, provided that they are adequately applied, for composite-based sealants with sufficient moisture control. This is not always attainable, particularly in children with low compliance. To counter this problem, a moisture-tolerant sealant has been developed. The present randomised clinical trial compared such a moisture-tolerant material (Embrace) with a conventional sealant (Helioseal).
  
  
  METHODS
  In 55 participants (mean age, 10 ± 3 years), corresponding molar pairs were sealed with either Embrace or Helioseal. Retention, quality of sealing, and caries were clinically examined, both tactilely and visually, immediately and after 1 year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 1 year, 93% of Helioseal sealings were complete, whereas 60% of Embrace sealings showed partial and 13% complete loss. The surface quality of Embrace was significantly worse than that of Helioseal. After the use of Embrace, the sealant margin was noticeable as a slight (distinct) step in 36% (15%). The visual (tactile) examination showed a rough surface in 78% (33%) in the case of Embrace. The Helioseal surfaces were shiny (smooth) in all cases (all differences between Helioseal and Embrace, p ≤ 0.001). Caries was found only after the use of Embrace (4%, n.s. compared to Helioseal).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The moisture-tolerant material Embrace was distinctly inferior to Helioseal because Embrace showed weaknesses in retention and surface quality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even if a moisture-tolerant sealant would be desirable in particular for children with low compliance, the tested material does not represent an alternative to the standard preparation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative and Preventive Dentistry, Dental Clinic of the Justus Liebig University, Schlangenzahl 14, 35392, Giessen, Germany. nadine.schlueter@dentist.med.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schlueter
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klimek
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ganss
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins; C586521:Embrace WetBond; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; C059908:Helioseal