title: Is pit and fissure sealing of buccal surfaces useful in reducing incidence of caries of first permanent molars?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to establish whether caries prevalence on the buccal surfaces of first lower permanent molars (FLPMs) can be compared to those on the occlusal surfaces in order to justify the utility of extending pit and fissure sealing also to the extra-occlusal surfaces.
  
  
  METHODS
  Design: an observational study was carried out in the children population (n=779) aged ≤14 years (mean age 7.68, SD 3.53) that presented at the Paediatric Dentistry Department of the University of Perugia. In the study were included 460 patients, and absolute frequency (number) of FLMP occlusal and buccal caries, together with their ratio and their difference in percentage, were recorded and analysed. Moreover, FLMP buccal caries variation related to age, sex and parent's nationality were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 460 children included (243 males) aged 5-14 years, 103 erupted FLPMs were analysed. Of their decayed surfaces (n=115), the occlusal surfaces were 62 (53.9%) and the buccal surfaces 53 (46.1%); the absolute frequency ratio was 1.17 and the percentage difference was 7.8%. The female gender was significantly related to buccal caries of FLPMs [OR = 2.66 (95% CI; 1.27-5.59; p=0.0096)] as was the age ranging between 10-14 years [OR = 2.73 (95% CI; 1.36-5.50; p =0.004)]. The parents nationality was not significantly related to buccal caries [Odds Ratio =1.47 (95% CI; 0.70-3.06; p = 09040)].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The similar caries susceptibility of buccal and occlusal surfaces of FLPMs stimulates further comparative studies about the usefulness of extending pit and fissure sealing to the buccal surfaces in addition to the occlusal prophylactic intervention, particularly with regard to the female sex and during the early eruption stages of these teeth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Pediatric Dentistry, Medical School, University of Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cianetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Pediatric Dentistry, Medical School, University of Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lombardo
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Pediatric Dentistry, Medical School, University of Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bravi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, Dental School, University of Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grandini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000187:drug effects*; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012737:Sex Factors; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants