Randomized, controlled trial comparing the retention of a flowable restorative system with a conventional resin...

This clinical trial evaluated the retention rate of a flowable restorative system (Bond 1 + Flow-It!) used as a pit-and-fissure sealant compared with a conventional filled resin sealant (Fluroshield) over a 1-year period.

Using a half-mouth design, 160 sealants (80 in primary and 80 in permanent teeth) were placed on sound first/second primary molars and first permanent molars of 40 children aged between 4 and 7 years. For both primary and permanent dentitions, half the teeth (n = 40) were sealed with Fluroshield and half (n = 40) with Bond 1 + Flow-It! Teeth were evaluated at baseline, 6- and 12-month intervals.

For both materials, there was no total loss of sealants placed on either the primary or permanent molars over 1 year. From Fluroshield sealants placed on primary teeth, 33 were completely intact after 6 months and 31 after 1 year. From those placed on permanent molars, no loss of material was observed after 6 months, while partial loss was noticed on 5% of teeth at 1-year recall. For Flow-It! resin applied on primary molars, partial loss of material was observed in only 1 sealant after 6 months and in 2 sealants after 1 year. On permanent teeth, 100% retention rate was observed over a 1-year follow up. There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) between the sealing materials on primary but not permanent teeth, and, overall, Flow-It! sealants presented a higher retention rate at both 6-month and 1-year evaluations. Significant differences (P < 0.01) between baseline and the other evaluation periods were also observed.

It may be concluded that the flowable restorative system yielded optimal retention on both primary and permanent molars. Its retention rate was significantly higher than that of the conventional pit-and-fissure sealant on primary teeth.