Comparative Evaluation of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Resin-based Sealants: A Clinical Study

The purpose of this study is to clinically evaluate and compare the retention and evidence of caries of three fissure sealants.

A total of 150 children, between 7 and 13 years of age, with fully erupted permanent molars, had sealants placed using a full-mouth design. Sealant retention was evaluated at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months later. Teeth were evaluated for retention and evidence of caries using Simonsen's criteria and results were subjected to statistical analysis using the Chi-square test.

At 1-year examination, in teeth sealed with Clinpro: (a) 8% were completely retained, (b) 74.4% were partially lost, and (c) 8.5% were completely lost; with Embrace Wetbond: (a) none of the sealants were completely retained, (b) 13.1% were partially lost, and (c) 59.1% were completely lost; with Champ: (a) 1% were completely retained, (b) 71.4% were partially lost, and (c) 10.9% were completely lost. All the three sealants showed evidence of caries from 9 months.

The retention of hydrophobic (Clinpro) sealant was superior to hydrophilic (Embrace Wetbond and Champ) sealants. The evidence of caries was less in the hydrophobic sealant group when compared with the hydrophilic sealant groups. There was no statistical difference in retention and evidence of caries between maxillary and mandibular teeth for all the three sealant groups.

Sealants prevent the occurrence of caries in the majority of children. Though hydrophobic sealants appear to be more successful, hydrophilic sealants too may provide promising results in the near future.