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Clinical sealant retention following two different tooth-cleaning techniques
J A Gillcrist1, M P Vaughan, G N Plumlee
1Tennessee Department of Health, Oral Health Services, Nashville 37247, USA. tngilcrist@aol.com
Journal of Public Health Dentistry
|April 2, 1999
Summary
Dry brushing effectively prepares teeth for dental sealants, achieving high retention rates comparable to rotary instruments. This simple technique offers a viable alternative for sealant application in pediatric dental care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Dental Public Health
- Preventive Dentistry
Background:
- Dental sealants are crucial for preventing pit and fissure caries in children.
- Effective tooth cleaning is a critical step for optimal sealant retention.
- Comparing different pre-sealant cleaning methods is essential for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the clinical effectiveness of two tooth-cleaning techniques prior to sealant application.
- To evaluate the impact of dry brushing versus rotary instrumentation with paste on sealant retention.
Main Methods:
- A split-mouth design was employed in 74 second and third-grade children.
- Sealants were applied to first permanent molars after cleaning with either a rotary brush and paste or a dry toothbrush.
- Sealant retention was assessed at 12 months post-application.
Main Results:
- Overall sealant retention was high at 98% after 12 months.
- Slightly more sealant loss was observed with the rotary instrument technique.
- The difference in sealant retention between the two cleaning methods was not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- Dry brushing as a pre-sealant cleaning method provides high clinical sealant retention.
- Sealant retention achieved with dry brushing is comparable to that of rotary instrumentation.
- Dry brushing represents an acceptable and potentially simpler alternative for sealant preparation.
