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Objective: To analyze the clinical behavior of 2 pit and fissure sealants
through clinical/computerized evaluation. Method and Materials: Occlusal
sealants were placed on maxillary and mandibular first and second premolars
according to a split-mouth design. All premolars were sealed with either
Concise (3M Espe) or Prisma Shield (Caulk/Dentsply) sealant agents. A
hematoxylin-based staining solution was applied on the occlusal surface 7
days, 18 months, 36 months, and 11 years after occlusal sealing to allow
checking of the sealant material on the surface. At each analysis time all
occlusal surfaces were photographed, and the photographs corresponding to
each time period were analyzed with SigmaScan 4.0 Software. The alterations
of the sealed area of each sealant were analyzed with the software and
recorded. Next, the measurements of the areas were tabulated and analyzed
according to each period. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), with parts
subdivided into time, and the t test, with a significance level of 5%, were
used. Results: The greatest sealed area was maintained by the sealant
Concise. However, over the course of 11 years, all sealants began to show
the same level of alteration in sealed area. Conclusion: The sealing
materials showed alteration in sealed area over time, but they were
efficient in controlling caries lesion formation on premolar pits and
fissures. (Quintessence Int 2007;38:613)
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