Sealed primary molars are less likely to develop caries

Abstract

Background: The authors examined the association between light-polymerized resin-based fluoride-releasing sealants and the development of pit-and-fissure caries on primary molars.

Methods: In this 3-year retrospective study, the authors reviewed the dental records of 297 children (1,352 teeth) younger than 6 years who were at high caries risk. Sealant placement or nonplacement on primary molars in the outpatient clinic and operating room setting was recorded, and random-effects logistic regression analysis accounting for the effect of data clustering was performed to measure caries incidence over time.

Results: The odds of developing pit-and-fissure carious lesions on sealed primary molars were 0.055 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.011 to 0.285; P = .001) and 0.013 times (95% CI, 0.001 to 0.159; P = .001) the odds of that on nonsealed primary molars in the outpatient clinic and in the operating room, respectively. In molars that became carious, those sealed were associated with longer time to caries development in both the outpatient clinic (2.69 years, 95% CI, 2.08 to 3.29) and operating room (1.97 years, 95% CI, 1.45 to 2.48).

Conclusions: Sealed primary molars were less likely to develop pit-and-fissure caries when placed in both the clinic and operating room settings.

Practical implications: Dental sealants on primary molars should be considered for children at high caries risk.

Keywords: Sealants; caries incidence; caries prevention; primary teeth.