A comparative analysis of glass ionomer sealant placed on permanent molars with and without a rubber dam to assess the retention over a 2 year period.

The purpose of the study is to compare the retention rates of glass ionomer sealants placed on first permanent molars over a period of 2 years. Pediatric patients (under <10 years of age) will receive a glass ionomer sealant on all four permanent first molars. One side will be randomly selected with rubber dam isolation and the contralateral side will have no rubber dam isolation for the placement of the sealant. Over a 2 year period, every 6 months the sealants will be assessed for retention.

The glass ionomer sealant material will be Fuji Triage (GC America). The following dental materials that will be used are cotton rolls, non-latex rubber dam, topical benzocaine, dental mirror, glass ionomer dispensing gun, dental explorer, triturator for the glass ionomer, cotton gauze, suction tip, air-water syringe.

Inclusion Criteria: healthy children who need sealants on 4 permanent molars that are not hypo plastic, are caries-free, and with no enamel defects.

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Exclusion Criteria: hypoplastic molars, caries, teeth with existing restorations, and those with enamel defects,

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The evaluator will not have knowledge of which type of isolation was used when placing the sealants.