title: Clinical comparison of a flowable composite and fissure sealant: a 24-month split-mouth, randomized, and controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the retention rate and caries-prevention effect of a flowable composite compared to a conventional resin-based sealant in a young population over a 24-month period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four patients, ranging in age from 16 to 22 years, diagnosed with at least 2 non-cavitated pit-and-fissure caries in the first and second molars were selected for this randomized split-mouth design trial. A total of 220 sealants, were placed in 117 upper molars and 103 lower molars. The teeth were sealed with a flowable resin composite (Tetric Evo Flow) or a sealant material (Helioseal F). Each restoration was independently evaluated in terms of retention and the presence of caries at baseline and at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months. Data were analyzed using non-parametric Mann-Whitney U and Friedman 1-way ANOVA tests at p<0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tetric Evo Flow showed complete retention with 100%, 95.5%, 93.8%, and 88.5% at 1, 6, 12, and 24-month evaluations, respectively, while Helioseal F retention rates were 98.1%, 95.5%, 94.8%, and 85.4%, respectively, for the same evaluation periods. At the 24-month recall, 4 (4.2%) total losses were observed in subjects treated with Tetric Evo Flow and 2 total losses (2.1%) for Helioseal F, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the materials in retention rates or caries incidence for each evaluation period (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Placement of flowable composite as fissure sealants in the younger population seems to be as effective as conventional fluoride containing fissure sealants for the prevention of fissure caries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of a flowable composite as a fissure sealant material, in conjunction with a total-etch, single bottle adhesive, yielded better retention than did the conventional fluoride containing resin-based fissure sealant over a 24-month period in young patients.
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Operative Dentistry, 34093 Capa-Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: uerdemir@istanbul.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Ugur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Erdemir
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Operative Dentistry, 34093 Capa-Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: handesar@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Hande Sar
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Sancakli
authors.affiliation: Osmangazi University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Operative Dentistry, 26480 Eskisehir, Turkey. Electronic address: batucanyaman@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Batu Can
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Yaman
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, 34093 Capa-Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: sevda@istanbul.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Sevda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozel
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Operative Dentistry, 34093 Capa-Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: t_yucel@superonline.com.
authors.forename: Taner
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yucel
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Operative Dentistry, 34093 Capa-Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: eyildiz1966@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Esra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yıldız
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000517:prevention & control; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; C420130:Excite cement; D008689:Methacrylates; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; C111840:flowable hybrid composite; C452226:tetric flow composite resin; C059908:Helioseal; D005459:Fluorides
keywords: Clinical study; Fissure caries; Fissure sealant; Flowable composite; Retention