title: Moisture-tolerant resin-based sealant: A boon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pit and fissure sealants are highly effective in preventing occlusal caries. The present study clinically evaluated and compared the retention and development of caries when sealed with moisture-tolerant resin-based sealant, conventional resin-based sealant with and without a bonding agent, and Glass Ionomer Cement Sealant in young permanent teeth.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 80 healthy cooperative children aged 6-9 years who were at high caries risk with all four newly erupted permanent first molars were included in the study. Teeth were divided into 4 groups using a full-factorial design, and each of the molars was sealed with the four different sealant material. Evaluation of sealant retention and development of caries was performed at 6 and 12 months using Modified Simonsen's criteria. The data obtained were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis using Kruskal-Wallis Test and Mann-Whitney Test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The result from the present study indicated that moisture-tolerant resin-based sealant could be successfully used as a pit and fissure sealant because its hydrophilic chemistry makes it less technique sensitive and simplifies the sealant application procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Amrith Educational and Cultural Society Maaruti College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Prasanna Kumar
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.forename: Sapna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Konde
authors.forename: Sunil N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Raj
authors.forename: Narayan Chandra
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Kumar
keywords: Bonding agent; conventional resin-based sealants; glass ionomer sealant; moisture-tolerant resin-based sealant; retention