Caries-preventive effect of glass ionomer and resin-based fissure sealants on permanent teeth: a meta analysis

Abstract

Abstract:The purpose of this quantitative systematic review was to appraise the evidence on the caries-preventive effect of glass ionomer cement (GIC) in relation to resin-based fissure sealants. Nine English and two Portuguese databases were searched (15 January 2008). Randomized clinical trials and systematic reviews were considered for inclusion. Trial exclusion criteria were: drop-out rates > 33%; no randomization; baseline differences in groups not statistically adjusted; and no clinically important outcomes were presented. Two authors reviewed the articles independently. The outcome measure for the caries preventive effect was caries absence on sealed teeth. Of the 112 identified articles, 25 were selected for review. Of these, 14 were excluded and 11 accepted (8 trials; 3 systematic reviews). The accepted reviews provided no evidence of superiority of either sealant material. Six trials were included for meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratio was 0.96, 95% CI 0.62-1.49, indicating no difference in the caries-preventive effect of GIC and resin-based fissure sealant material. This systematic review with meta-analysis found no evidence that either material was superior to the other in the prevention of dental caries. Thus, both materials appear equally suitable for clinical application as a fissure sealant material. (J Oral Sci 51, 373-382, 2009)

A 48-month randomized controlled trial of caries prevention effect of a one-time application of glass ionomer sealant versus resin sealant

“…Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have shown that both GIS and RS are capable of preventing the development of caries 5,6) . Nevertheless, the routine clinical use of a glass ionomer sealant is still unreliable because of poor retention 18) .…”

“…The two most common materials used for sealing pits and fissures are resins and glass-ionomers. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have shown that both glassionomer sealants (GISs) and resin-based sealants (RSs) are capable of preventing the development of caries 5,6) . The longevity of resin-based sealants is higher than that of low-and medium-viscosity glass-ionomer-based materials 7) ; however, glass-ionomer cement (GIC) is not as sensitive to moisture as resin-based sealants 8) .…”

“…It has been suggested that the gold standard in caries prevention through sealant administration should not be based on physical outcomes, but rather on biological outcomes. Such biological outcomes are measured in relation to the absence of caries in pits and fissures after applying sealant 5) . Even where GISs clinically appear to have been totally lost, there remain small particles of material attached to the enamel of the occlusal fissures 14) .…”

Comparison of resin-based and glass ionomer sealants with regard to fluoride-release and anti-demineralization efficacy on adjacent unsealed enamel

“…The current literature on the preventive effects of sealants varies considerably. Some studies have reported that the anti-cariogenic effects of glass ionomer sealants are equal to those of resin sealants that do not contain fluoride 2,4,5) . Conversely, Mejare and Mjor reported that the preventive activity of glass ionomers surpassed that of the latter because of its greater capability to release fluoride 6) .…”

Effects of porous-hydroxyapatite incorporated into glass-ionomer sealants

“…This suggests a therapeutic use for sealants in addition to a preventive use. Moreover, a systematic review through a meta-analysis indicated that GIC and RB fissure sealants were equally effective in caries prevention 9) . However, GIC offers mechanical properties and wear resistance that are inferior to composite resins [10][11][12][13] .…”