Clinical Evaluation of an Organoselenium-Enhanced Sealant and a Moisture-tolerant Sealant: A 16-month Study.

OBJECTIVES

Dental caries is common in children's occlusal pits and fissures. Pit and fissure sealants prevent caries by blocking biofilm formation. This study compares the effectiveness of two modern sealants, Embrace WetBond (Pulpdent) and DenteShield (Elevate OralCare), over 16 months. Embrace WetBond is moisture-tolerant, whereas DenteShield contains organoselenium that inhibits bacterial growth, particularly Streptococcus mutans. Clinical performance was evaluated using Modified Ryge-United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Criteria.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A randomized, single-blinded, split-mouth design included 90 children with fully erupted mandibular first molars. Group I received DenteShield, and group II received Embrace WetBond. Evaluations were performed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 16 months.

RESULTS

At 6 months, both sealants showed minimal discoloration (88.90%). By 12 months, discoloration increased slightly (DenteShield: 85.60%, Embrace: 81.10%). Embrace exhibited better retention (98.90%) than DenteShield (92.20%). At 16 months, DenteShield showed superior margin adaptation.

CONCLUSION

DenteShield showed poorer color match due to the yellowish tint from selenium, while Embrace had more marginal discoloration and adaptation issues. Embrace demonstrated superior surface texture in the first 6 months, with DenteShield outperforming thereafter. Retention rates were higher with Embrace, though DenteShield excelled in specific components.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Organoselenium compounds in DenteShield provide antimicrobial effects, reducing bacterial colonization, particularly Streptococcus mutans, which could enhance long-term caries prevention under sealants.