Purpose: To evaluate the difference between light-cured flowable resin and light-cured pit and fissure sealant in the cost and retention rate of pit and fissure sealant treatment.
Methods: Two hundred and fifty six children aged from 7 to 10 years were selected in this study. Each of them had at least two caries-free first molars. One first molar was sealed with light-cured flowable resin and the other one was sealed with traditional light-cured sealant. The portable dental chair were used to absorb saliva and cotton rolls were applied for moisture control. The operation time and number of cotton rolls used were recorded. After one year, the reservation of material was checked by two dentists using explorer. All the procedures were undertaken in schools.The data were analyzed using SPSS10.0 software package.
Results: It took 3.53 minutes for one tooth to be sealed with traditional light-cured sealant and 3.32 minutes with light-cured flowable resin (P<0.05). The retention rate of the light-cured flowable resin group was significantly higher compared with traditional light-cured sealant group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Light-cured flowable resin can be used as fissure sealant to prevent caries in a shorter operation time used in schools.