Comparative Assessment of Retention and Caries Protective Effectiveness of a Hydrophilic and a Conventional Sealant—A Clinical Trial

Abstract

Sealants are highly efficient and the most secure method for the prevention of caries lesions from pits and fissures in recently erupted permanent teeth. The aim of this study is to clinically assess and compare the retention and evolution of caries of a moisture-tolerant resin-based sealant with a conventional hydrophobic resin-based sealant. Material and method: We have included in the study 28 children with between 6 and 8 years old. For each child we sealed 4 permanent molars (a total of 112 teeth). The study group was divided into two subgroups: the Embrace Group—consisting of 56 first permanent molars that underwent dental sealing with moisture-tolerant resin-based fissure sealant (Embrace™ WetBond™ Pulpdent, Watertown, MA, USA) and the Helioseal Group—represented by the same number of 56 first permanent molars that were sealed with conventional hydrophobic resin-based sealant (Helioseal F™, Ivoclar Vivadent Schaan, Liechtenstein). The retention and the incidence of new carious lesions of each sealant were assessed clinically at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Results: The 12-month follow-up assessment showed perfect integrity in 50 molars (89.28%) sealed with moisture-tolerant resin-based material (Embrace Group), and in 51 molars (91.07%) with conventional resin-based sealant (Helioseal Group). At the 24-month recall, the retention was maintained in 44 molars (78.57%) in the Embrace Group and in 45 molars (80.35%) in the Helioseal Group, respectively. The follow-up assessments showed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.5) between the two materials regarding sealant retention. First evidence of new carious lesions was present at 12 months on two molars sealed with Embrace WetBond and on one molar sealed with Helioseal. At the 24-month evaluation, the prevalence of caries in the Embrace Group was 7.14% (four caries) and 3.56% (two caries) in the Helioseal Group. Moreover, there were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between the two materials regarding new caries development at any of the follow-up assessments. Conclusions: Moisture-tolerant resin-based sealant was effective in terms of retention and caries prevention.

The Assessment of Resin-Based Composite Sealants’ Effectiveness in Arresting Non-Cavitated Dentin Carious Lesions (ICDAS 3)—A 12 Month Follow-Up Preliminary Study

“…These early interventions are crucial for preventing the progression of tooth decay, potentially reducing the need for more invasive treatments later. Resin-based composite sealants are noteworthy because, unlike traditional sealants that mainly act as a physical barrier, resin-based composites might provide additional benefits such as better adherence and aesthetic qualities [30]. They might also offer active cariostatic properties due to the release of fluoride or other agents, enhancing their effectiveness in arresting caries development.…”

The Assessment of Sealants’ Effectiveness in Arresting Non-Cavitated Caries Lesion—A 24-Month Follow-Up

“…This may be due to the lower retention of the sealant when applied on these lesions, which leads to a higher rate of reseals and the progression of carious lesions that have lost the covering material. It is generally accepted that the efficacy of resin-based sealants in preventing caries is based on good retention [ 48 , 49 , 50 ].…”

A concise review of dental sealants in caries management

“…Table 1 shows the retention rates of dental sealants published in the past ten years (2012–2022). For resin sealant, the retention rate ranges from 11% to 89% at a 6-month follow-up ( 40 , 52 , 61 , 62 ); from 18 to 88% at a 12-month follow-up ( 26 , 45 , 47 , 49 – 51 , 55 , 58 – 60 , 65 , 67 ); from 24% to 70% at an 18-month follow-up ( 54 , 57 , 68 ); from 21% to 80% at a 24-month follow-up ( 44 , 46 , 48 , 63 , 64 , 66 ). Studies with longer follow-up periods were limited.…”