Clinical evaluation of prophylactic efficiency of two fluoride-release fissure sealants

Objectives:Methods of preventing development of caries involving application of fluorine compounds, low-carbohydrate diet or procedures aimed at securing hygiene of oral cavity frequently prove to be insufficient in relation to occlusal surfaces of lateral teeth. The problem has been solved by application of pit and fissure sealants in the prophylaxis. The conducted studies aimed at clinical evaluation of fluorine-releasing pit and fissure sealants, Helioseal F and Ultraseal XT plus. Methods: The studies were performed on 186 pupils of primary school or high school in Poznañ, forming two investigated groups, A and B, differing only in the type of the used sealer. In all the studied children healthy occlusal surfaces of molars were protected as specified by the producer of the applied fissure sealant. In group A (93 children) Helioseal F was used (203 teeth) while in group B (93 children) UltraSeal XT plus was applied (162 teeth). In each of the groups, retention of the sealants and presence of caries lesions on the sealed surfaces were evaluated following 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months. The results were subjected to statistical analysis, using the exact Fisher test . Results: Following 36 months, clinical examination disclosed complete material retention in 50.3% molars sealed with Helioseal F and significantly higher retention in 69.6% teeth sealed with Ultra Seal XT plus. Caries was detected in 14.7% sealed teeth in group A and in 6.7% sealed teeth in group B , respectively, and the difference was also significant. Conclusions: The studies demonstrated higher clinical effectiveness of prophylactic dental fissure sealing in molar teeth using the UltraSeal XT plus material.