Effects of glass ionomer sealants in newly erupted first molars after 5 years: a pilot study

• Published in: Community dentistry and oral epidemiology Vol. 31; no. 4; pp. 314 - 319
• Main Authors: Taifour, Dia, Frencken, Jo E., Van′t Hof, Martin A., Beiruti, Nabil, Truin, Gert-Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Munksgaard International Publishers 01.08.2003
• Subjects: Adolescent; caries prevention; Chi-Square Distribution; Child; Dental Caries - epidemiology; Dental Caries - prevention & control; Dentin; Dentistry; erupting molars; Female; glass ionomer; Glass Ionomer Cements - therapeutic use; high-risk group; Humans; Male; Molar; Odds Ratio; Pilot Projects; Pit and Fissure Sealants; Prevalence; Syria - epidemiology; Vulnerable Populations; Syria
• ISSN: 0301-5661; 1600-0528
• DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0528.2003.00039.x

– Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the caries‐preventive effect of high‐filled glass ionomer sealant in newly erupted first molars in a high‐risk group. This investigation is part of a larger study amongst eight hundred and thirty‐five 6–7‐year‐old Syrian children. Methods: Children that had 1, 2 or 3 just erupted or erupting and at least one unerupted first molar (control) were enrolled in this pilot study. A total of 60 children fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There were 49 children with a total of 83 sealants available for examination at the evaluation year 5. Results: Almost two out of the three sealants (69%) had disappeared between evaluation years 2 and 3. 1.2% (SE = 1.2) of the sealants survived were fully retained and 10.3% (SE = 3.3) of the sealants survived were fully and partially retained at the evaluation year 5. Caries prevalence of the children in the study group at the evaluation year 5 was 55%. The Odds ratio concerning sealed and control group at year 5 was 2.6 with 95% confidence limits of 1.2 and 5.7, implying a relative risk (RR) of 2.1. Unsealed unerupted first molars had 2.1 times higher chance than sealed newly erupted first molars to develop dentinal lesions in this child population after 5 years. Conclusions: It is concluded that sealing newly erupted first molars with high‐filled glass ionomer may be a caries‐preventive measure in high‐risk children. However, a well‐designed clinical trial should be implemented to confirm the initial findings.