title: An experimental in vivo procedure for the standardised assessment of sealants retention over time.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The elaboration of an experimental system to obtain reproducible and comparable photographs of the occlusal surface to monitor sealants retention.
  
  
  METHODS
  An intraoral camera connected to a computer was used to obtain photos of the occlusal surfaces. A specific software was utilized to perform measurements on archived pictures. An experimental two-part system, consisting of a dental arch support and a camera support, connected to each other through holes and pins, was made to obtain a standardised and reproducible placement of the camera in the mouth. In the first part, to test the degree of reliability of the procedure and the percentage of image distortion, 120 first molars were sealed and for each molar ten photographs were taken, using the intraoral camera connected with the dental arch support, the camera support and the dedicated software. In the second part, 165 first molars were sealed and photographed, as above described, immediately after sealing (T0), 6 months (T1) and 1 year later (T2). With the software, the sealed areas were measured. The comparison of the selected sealed areas between T0 and T1, T0 and T2, T1 and T2 determined the percentage of sealant loss.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the first part, the experimental procedure showed a reliability of 96.85%. In the second part, the difference in the rate of lost sealant between T0-T1 and T1-T2 was statistically significant (p <0.001).
  
  
  METHODS
  ANOVA analysis was made.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Photographs, obtained through the experimental two-part system, allowing a reproducible positioning of the intraoral camera in oral cavity, could represent a standardised and useful method to monitor sealants retention over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Oral Sciences, Section of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Naples, Federico II Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Ferrazzano
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Oral Sciences, Section of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Naples, Federico II Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.affiliation: Bambino Gesù Hospital, Division of Dentistry and Orthodontics Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cantile
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Oral Sciences, Section of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Naples, Federico II Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sangianantoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Oral Sciences, Section of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Naples, Federico II Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alcidi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Oral Sciences, Section of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Naples, Federico II Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coda
authors.affiliation: Department of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Oral Sciences, Section of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Naples, Federico II Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ingenito
mesh_terms: D000134:Acid Etching, Dental / Q000379:methods; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001840:Dental Bonding; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D055115:Light-Curing of Dental Adhesives / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000737:chemistry; D023861:Photography, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000033:anatomy & histology
chemical_list: C500418:Clinpro Sealant; D003188:Composite Resins; D063065:Organophosphonates; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D019279:Resin Cements; C454540:Scotchbond etchant; C041330:Scotchbond