Outcome of sealant on first molar: three-year evaluation

Method: A prospective study was conducted. Pit and fissure sealing was operated on 2979 first molars of 7~9 years children, which were grouped according to the sealant type (with or without fluoride), with or without bonding agent, and level of operators. After 1 and 3 years, approximately 20% of the children were randomly sampled to recheck the sealant retention rate and caries prevalence rate on the first molar. The outcome and influential factors of pit and fissure sealant on first molar were analyzed.

Result: After one year: total retention rate of the sealants was 87.9%. Operators’ level was found to significantly correlate with the retention rate, but not the sealant type and bonding agent. After three years: the number of decayed-filling-surfaces (DFS) in sealant group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05).The decreasing rate of DFS was 36.1%. Interestingly, the DFS of smooth surfaces using fluoride sealant was lower than that using sealant without fluoride. 

Conclusion: Pit and fissure sealant could prevent the first molar caries effectively, and sealant with fluoride might have effect on preventing caries of smooth surfaces. Operator training should be strengthened to improve quality of pit and fissure sealant. (Supported by Shaanxi Social development project 2011K12-40)