Retention in fissure resin-based sealants in schoolchildren: the etching step importance.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

STUDY POPULATION: Forty-seven schoolchildren aged 9-10 years with fully sound/noncavitated erupted first permanent molars were included and randomly allocated in control and experimental groups in a split-mouth design.

CASES: 47 schoolchildren (94 molars) fissure sealants applied using self-etch universal adhesive system.

CONTROLS: 47 schoolchildren (94 molars) fissure sealants applied using conventional acid-etching technique.

OUTCOME MEASURE: Retention of sealants and secondary caries incidence (ICDAS).

DATA ANALYSIS: Chi-square test.

RESULTS

Conventional acid-etch sealants retention was superior to self-etch after 6 and 24 months (p < 0.001), but no differences were found in caries incidence after 6 and 24 months (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical retention of fissure sealants using conventional acid-etch technique is greater than self-etch.