Indirect evaluation of pit and fissure sealants: A 3D-based method validation

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Diagnostic Technologies in Dentistry

Background:

• Assessing the clinical performance of pit and fissure sealants is crucial for preventive dentistry.
• Indirect evaluation methods are increasingly utilized for sealant assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare indirect methods for assessing pit and fissure sealant clinical performance.
• To validate the use of 3D scanners as a reliable diagnostic tool for sealants.

Main Methods:

• Plaster models of sealed molars and follow-up photographs were analyzed.
• Methods included Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), photography, 3D scanning, and stereomicroscopy.
• Evaluations were based on sealant presence, absence, and marginal integrity using pre-established criteria.

Main Results:

• 3D scanning and SEM demonstrated good concordance, with 3D scanning achieving perfect performance (ROC area=1.0).
• Stereomicroscopy showed regular concordance with SEM and 3D scanning.
• Photography exhibited poor concordance and the lowest sensitivity and specificity (ROC area=0.59).

Conclusions:

• The 3D scanning method is validated as a reliable and accurate tool for evaluating pit and fissure sealants.
• 3D scanning offers high sensitivity and specificity, surpassing traditional photography.
• This technology can enhance the diagnostic capabilities for sealant retention and integrity.