Comparative Efficacy in Preventing Plaque Formation around Pit and Fissure Sealants: A Clinical Trial

Abstract

Aim:The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical performance of an organo-selenium-containing pit and fissure sealant with that of a selenium-free sealant for clinical retention and prevention of plaque and caries development around the sealants. Materials and methods: Following an in vitro study confirming the antimicrobial effect of an organo-selenium-containing pit/fissure sealant [DenteShield™ (DS)], 120 adolescents (7-20 years old) at varying caries risk status had DS sealant applied to a single tooth on the left or the right side of the dentition and UltraSeal™ XT Plus (UXT) on a corresponding tooth on the opposite side. Sealants' assessment was performed quarterly for 1 year for clinical retention, plaque, and caries formation around the sealant. Each sealant lost was replaced but considered as a failure in further analysis. McNemar's test was used to statistically analyze the outcome variables at each assessment time point. Results: While 7% and 12% plaque growth was observed around the UXT sealant at 9th and 12th months, respectively, DS exhibited 100% prevention of plaque growth. Both sealants exhibited 100% caries prevention. Clinical retention did not significantly differ between DS and UXT at all assessment time points except at 12 months when DS showed statistically significantly (p < 0.001) better retention (96%) than UXT (81%). Conclusion:In this study, while both sealants are equally effective in caries prevention, DS completely prevented plaque growth around it with better clinical retention than UXT that offered only limited protection against plaque growth. Clinical significance: Being antimicrobial, DS pit and fissure sealant may be the best sealant option for patients whose caries risk status is due to poor oral hygiene.

Antimicrobial Effect of Orthodontic Materials on Cariogenic Bacteria Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus

“…A study by Tran et al [29] found that selenium polymerized into dental sealant is effective in inhibiting bacterial attachment and biofilm formation of the 2 main oral pathogens, S. mutans and S. salivarius. The same was also observed in a comparable study of an organo-selenium-containing pit and fissure sealant with that of a selenium-free sealant for clinical retention and prevention of plaque and caries development by Amaechi et al [44].…”

Prevention of white spot lesions around orthodontic brackets using organoselenium-containing antimicrobial enamel surface sealant

“…It is pertinent to mention that selenium forms a covalent attachment to resin polymers, and as such does not leach out to the surrounding and has long-term retention of its antibacterial effects [ 14 ]. This is an advantage of the selenium-based sealant and primer over other tooth surface protective sealants such as the fluoride-releasing sealants and adhesives, which studies have shown their fluoride content to exhaust over a period of time [ 20 , 28 ].…”

Resin-Based Sealant with Bioactive Glass and Zwitterionic Material for Remineralisation and Multi-Species Biofilm Inhibition

“…In preventive dentistry, RBS has been widely used as the most effective material in preventing caries within the pits and fissures of the occlusal surfaces [4,35,36]. However, RBS has several drawbacks, such as its easy exposure to bacterial attachment and growth in the oral cavity, which can cause secondary caries around RBS [8,35]. As long as RBS remains attached to the enamel, its protection continues effectively [37].…”