The effectiveness of a fissure sealant after six years.

The clinical effectiveness of a self-polymerized fissure sealant was studied, in 205 children, ages 6-10 years (mean age 71⁄2 years). There were 313 sites sealed and after four and six years, 247 and 115 were available for recall After four years, sealant retention was 73 % and effectiveness in caries reduction was 77%. After six years, 58% of sealants were retained and these were 56 % effective in caries reduction. During the past decade, numerous studies have demonstrated that fissure sealants prevent decay3 ,2 Recently, long-term results of sealant application illustrated the protective effects of sealants. 3 This study was performed to test the retention and effectiveness of an autopolymerized fissure sealant (Deltona). Six-year results also will be reported. Methods and Materials Two hundred and five subjects with paired caries-free, contralateral first permanent molars and evidence of dental caries in the mouth were selected from 933 children. The subjects were 6-10 years of age, with a mean age of 7~A years, in Grades 1-4 of three parochial schools. They resided in Jersey City which had communal water fluoridation only during the first three years of the study. There was a loss of only 20% of the sample after four years (Figure 1). By the end of the sixth year, two grades graduated to high school and were lost to the study. Two pedodontists examined each child independently and recorded decayed, missing, and filled surfaces, as well as the presence or absence of sealant. A disagreement relative to the condition of a particular tooth was settled by re-examination by both dentists, resulting in a consensus rating. a Delton®:johnson & Johnson Dental Products, East Windsor, N.J. 300