Salivary fluoride levels following application of ART fissure sealants

Objectives: To investigate the fluoride levels in whole saliva before and after applying ART fissure sealants in Chinese school children. Methods: Forty children aged 6 to 7 years in one primary school in Shanghai, China with four sound permanent fist molars were invited to participate in this study. Children were randomly divided into 2 groups: Group 1--glass ionomer sealant (Ketac-Molar, 3M ESPE) and Group 2--glass ionomer sealant (Chemflex, Dentsply). The sealants were placed on the pit and fissure of four first permanent molars. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected at baseline, 1, 2, 24, 48, 96h. The fluoride release of 2 types of sealants was compared at the different time intervals. Fluoride concentrations were determined with an ion-selective electrode. Fluoride concentrations before and after placing the sealants were analyzed by paired t test, and the fluoride concentrations between the 2 sealants were compared by t test, with the level of significance at 0.05. Results: The saliva fluoride level of Ketac-Molar group and Chemflex group at 1h was significantly higher than the baseline level (p<0.05), and was not different afterwards. There were no significant differences between salivary fluoride levels of the 2 groups at different time intervals. Conclusions: The fluoride levels were significantly elevated 1 h in whole saliva after applying ART fissure sealants when compared to baseline values. There were no significant differences between the 2 ART fissure sealants.