Compomer as a pit and fissure sealant: effectiveness and retention after 24 months

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and retention of occlusal sealing using FluroShield or Compoglass.

The sample consisted of 57 children aged 7 to 9 years who had 4 sound, fully erupted, first permanent molars (total=228 teeth). Both materials were applied on contralateral teeth in a split-mouth design in 2 groups: (1) FluroShield--left upper molar and right lower molar; (2) Compoglass--right upper molar and left lower molar. The materials were applied under cotton roll isolation by the same operator according to the manufacturers' instructions. The evaluations were carried out at 6, 12, and 24 months. The data were subjected to the G2 (likelihood ratio chi-square test; P<.05).

At the 6-month evaluation, Compoglass showed 60% total retention, 23% partial retention, and 17% total loss. FluroShield showed 53% total retention, 31% partial retention, and 16% total loss. At the 12-month recall, Compoglass and FluroShield, respectively, showed 39% and 43% total retention, 38% and 33% partial retention, and 24% and 25% total loss. At the 24-month evaluation, there was a reduction of 56% of the initial sample numbers (32/57), with 22% and 20% having total retention, 52% and 48% partial retention, and 26% and 32% total loss, respectively, for Compoglass and FluroShield. There was no significant statistical difference between the retention of both materials studied. There was no new caries formation during the evaluation period.

It could be concluded that both materials effectively prevented caries in occlusal surfaces during the follow-up period, although both showed a low retention rates.