Comparative Assessment of The Retention Characteristics of Glass Ionomer and Resin Based Fissure Sealants: A One-Year Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objective: To comparatively assess the retention of glass ionomer and resin-based fissure sealants on the occlusal surface of molars in children.

Methods: A comparative, prospective, assessor-blinded randomized clinical trial. A split-mouth design wherein two fissure sealants, a light cure Bis-GMA resin-based sealant and a glass-ionomer sealant were placed on 50 matched pairs of permanent first molar teeth. The primary outcome was for sealant to either be completely retained, CR; Partially Retained, PR or completely lost, CL and the secondary outcome was for the prevention of pit and fissure caries. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 and the level of significance was p<0.05 

Results:  Fifty children aged 6 to 10- years took part in the study. At 12 months review, 32(69.6%) of resin sealed tooth surface had CR, 13(28.3%) were PR and 1(2.2%) was completely lost. The glass ionomer sealed tooth had 27(58.7%) CR, 17(37.0%) PR and 2(4.3%) as CL. Partial components of the resin sealants, mesio-occlusal (MO)/Central occlusal (CO) and Central occlusal (CO)/disto-occlusal (DO) had 30.8% each while MO and CO had 15.4% each; glass ionomer sealant had 47.1% of MO/CO and 23.5% of CO/DO and CO alone was 17.6%. There was no statistically significant difference between both groups. P=0.84

Conclusion: The retention of resin sealant was superior to that of the glass ionomer sealant.  Moreso, the central occlusal portion (CO) was the most recurring anatomical site for the partially retained sealant. Both sealant materials were effective in prevention of pit-and-fissure caries.

Keywords:   Retention,   Glass   ionomer,   Resin,   Fissure Sealant