Abstract
There are many reports on the caries prevention of young permanent molars by use of pit and fissure sealants, but few reports concerning the deciduos molars. To study the caries-preventive effects of pit and fissure sealants on the second deciduous molars,180 second molars from 66 children (mean age: 3y11m) were sealed with a pit and fissure sealant after the treatment of the molars with GK-101 solution as a vehicle, and thereafter were observed from 1 to 23 months. Complete retention of the sealant was observed in 81.5% of the cases, and partial detachment was in 18.5%. No caries occured in the occlusal surfaces on which the sealants had been completely retained. The partial detachment of the sealant may be due to the simple form of the pit and fissure, and also to the insufficiency of enamel for acid-etching. GK-101 solution was shown to be effective when it was used to irrigate the pits and fissures before the sealing.
To determine the optimal age for the application of the sealant,324 children who had dental records between the ages of 3 to 5 participated in this survey of dental caries prevalence. Several data were obtained. First, second deciduous molars are sealed at the age of 3, a 30% reduction in the occurence of caries can be expected in 2 years. Second, if the sealant is applied between the ages of 4y0m to 4y5m, a 10% reduction in the occurence of caries can be expected in 1 year. Third, if the sealant is applied between the ages of 4y6m to 4y11m, a 10% reduction and a 20% reduction in the occurence of caries can be expected in 1 year in the maxillar molar and the mandibular molar, respectively.
