Comparison of retentive qualities of two glass-ionomer cements used as fissure sealants.

Ideally, in view of rational practice management, the same GIC material may be used as a restorative material as well as a sealant material. The aim of this study is to compare the retention rates of a GIC designed as sealant material (Fuji Type IIIR,) and a glass-ionomer restorative material (Fuji Type IXR). In a clinical trial using a split mouth design, 104 children (mean age 10.4 years, s.d. 1.2) of the Centre of Youth Dental Health Paramaribo (Surinam) received 208 sealants, 104 per material. The sealants were placed in upper or lower first or second molars by dental auxiliaries. Moisture control was achieved by cotton rolls. After four and nine months the retention of the sealants was checked clinically. For the evaluation at both times 99 molar pairs were available. After four months 46 percent of the Fuji IIIR and 72 percent of the Fuji IXR sealants showed complete retention. After nine months these percentages were 15 percent and 52 percent, respectively. In view of the study design, Relative Risks (RR), and their 95 percent confidence intervals, were calculated. Converted to chance to total absence, the chance to absence of the material for Fuji IX was about 60 percent less than that for Fuji III (four months RR = .44 (.25 - .80) and nine months RR = .42 (.39 - .45)). In conclusion the GIC restorative material showed to be more retentive then the GIC sealant material.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes