Abstract
Since application of pit and fissure resin sealant has been proven to be effective as a caries preventive measure, particulary in pediatric dental practice, it has been widely used for more than a quarter of a century.
In this study, we used a light cured fluoride slow releasing sealant (Teethmate-F1®), which contains about 1 wt% fluoride and gradually releases the fluoride through hydrolysis. This sealant thereby provides not only mechanical protection of the caries susceptible pits and fissures, but also enhances the acid-resistance of the adjacent as well as the area underneath the acid-etched surface enamel, by supplying fluoride ions.
Four hundred and eighteen permanent molars and premolars of 151 children who visited our Pediatric Dental Clinic, were the subjects of the study. We clinically evaluated the retention rates of the sealant as well as the caries prevention in these teeth after 1-year-1-month on average. The retention rate of this sealant was 83.5%, and partial retention rate was 12.9%, whereas none of the carious lesions were detected.
