Retention and effectiveness of a single application of white sealant after 10 years.

This retrospective cohort study assesses the caries prevalence, cost-effectiveness, and retention of pit and fissure sealant in children living in a fluoridated area 10 years after the single application of a colored sealant to permanent first molars. The status of the sealant and presence of caries or restorations on the sealed teeth was assessed. An age-, gender-, and residence-matched control group of children was examined and similar data were collected for comparison with the sealed group. The cost of a single surface restoration is compared with the cost of sealant application.