title: Isolite vs cotton roll isolation in the placement of dental sealants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this split-mouth, randomized, controlled trial was to evaluate the retention rates of sealants placed under Isolite vs cotton roll isolation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of 29 patients, with a mean age of 9.8 years and a total of 96 teeth, was included in this study. Matched contralateral pairs of first and second molars were randomized to receive sealants with Isolite or cotton roll isolation. All sealants were performed by one standardized operator. Sealants were placed on first and second permanent molars that had a matched contralateral molar requiring a sealant as well. Photographs were taken of the sealants on the day of placement, and at 6-month and 12-month recalls. Photographs were viewed, and retention of the sealants was evaluated and scored by three calibrated pediatric dentists. The scores were analyzed via Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in the retention rates between sealants placed using Isolite isolation compared with cotton roll isolation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Isolite and cotton roll isolation both appear to be equally effective in creating a favorable environment for sealant placement by a single operator.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Texas A&M University, Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lyman
authors.forename: Kavitha
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Viswanathan
authors.forename: Alton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McWhorter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D001840:Dental Bonding / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology*; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants