Evaluation of 1-year Survival Rates of Two Different Fissure Sealants Applied to Immature Permanent Molars
Evaluation of 1-year Survival Rates of Two Different Fissure Sealants Applied to Immature Permanent Molars
Dental caries remains one of the most prevalent oral diseases today. The risk of caries development is highest during the first few years following tooth eruption. Therefore, preventive strategies for dental caries continue to be of great importance.
In particular, permanent second molars are highly susceptible to caries during their eruption phase, as the enamel has not yet completed its physiological maturation. This vulnerability is especially pronounced in partially erupted teeth, where the risk of caries formation increases significantly in the absence of effective preventive measures.
In this context, fissure sealants are widely used as a preventive approach, particularly in children and adolescents, due to their proven efficacy in caries prevention. In this study, the 12-month clinical performance of resin-based hydrophilic and glass ionomer-based fissure sealants applied to partially erupted permanent first and/or second molars will be evaluated comparatively.
Informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to their inclusion in the study. The aim of this research is to provide scientific evidence to support material selection in the field of preventive dentistry.
Previous studies (Ahovuo-Saloranta et al., 2013) have emphasized that long-term clinical success rates have a direct impact on material selection, highlighting the importance of conducting prospective clinical trials.
This study is designed as a split-mouth, double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. The reporting of the study will adhere to the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines. The study will be conducted at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, İnönü University.
Healthy children aged between 7 and 15 years will be included in the study. Randomization will be performed using a computer-assisted program. Two different fissure sealants will be applied to different teeth in each patient.
Application Procedure:
All fissure sealants will be applied by a single experienced operator in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Resin-based sealants will be polymerized for 20 seconds using an LED light source.
Group A: Hydrophilic fissure sealant
Group B: Glass ionomer-based fissure sealant
Evaluation Time Points:
Immediately after application
At 3 months
At 6 months
At 12 months
The following parameters will be assessed by two independent blinded evaluators according to modified USPHS criteria:
Retention of the fissure sealant (Complete / Partial / Total loss)
Marginal discoloration
Development of secondary caries
Data will be entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS software. A p-value of < 0.05 will be considered statistically significant.
This study is designed to compare the 12-month survival rates of GC Fuji Triage (glass ionomer-based) and UltraSeal XT™ hydro™ (Hydrophilic Pit and Fissure Sealant) fissure sealants applied to partially erupted permanent second molars. The research will be conducted using a split-mouth, double-blind, randomized, and controlled design, aiming to provide a high level of scientific reliability through its prospective nature.
Blinding of both participants and evaluators is intended to minimize observational bias and enhance the validity of the results. The study is expected to provide evidence-based data that will guide clinicians in material selection and contribute to the existing literature in the field.
Furthermore, by being reported in accordance with the CONSORT guidelines, the study will meet international standards for clinical research reporting.
Inclusion Criteria:
Healthy children aged 10 to 15 years. Partially erupted, caries-free or demineralized fissures with ICDAS scores 1-2 on permanent second molars, confirmed by clinical and radiographic examination.
Children who demonstrate cooperative behavior, scoring 3 or 4 on the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale.
An oral hygiene score (OHI-S) ≤ 3. Written informed consent obtained from a parent or legal guardian prior to participation in the study.
Exclusion Criteria:
Fully erupted or completely impacted teeth. Teeth with severe hypoplasia, hypomineralization, presence of extensive restorations, or cavitated carious lesions.
Children with a history of systemic disease or long-term medication use. Known allergies to resin-based or glass ionomer materials. Presence of parafunctional habits (e.g., bruxism, nail biting, etc.).
Two different fissure sealants will be applied to different teeth in each patient.
Application Procedure:
All fissure sealants will be applied by a single experienced operator in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Resin-based sealants will be light-cured for 20 seconds using an LED curing light.
Group A: Hydrophilic fissure sealant
Group B: Glass ionomer-based fissure sealant
Evaluation Time Points:
Immediately after application At 3 months At 6 months At 12 months
The following parameters will be evaluated by two independent blinded evaluators according to modified USPHS criteria:
Sealant retention (Complete / Partial / Total loss) Marginal discoloration Development of secondary caries
In cases where sealant loss is observed during follow-up, the material will be reapplied to the affected tooth; however, that tooth will not be included in subsequent evaluations.
Participants will not experience any disadvantage or harm due to any adverse outcome related to the materials used.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: