Comparing Fluoride Varnish, Fissure Sealant and Ozone for Children Caries Prevention

Abstract

Background: Caries is the most prevalent oral health disease in children globally. Well-known method such as fluoride varnish and fissure sealant has been used to prevent caries overtime. Ozone therapy considered as a new innovation in caries prevention for children which has not been studied much for its effectiveness compared to the other popular method. Objective: This review aimed to compare caries preventive methods with fluoride varnish (FV), fissure sealant (FS) and ozone (O) for children and decide which method is the most effective. Literature Study: PubMed, SpringerLink, EBSCOhost and Science direct were searched from December 2021 to January 2022. The criteria included all randomized controlled trials and clinical trials comparing the caries preventive effect between FV, FS and O on children’s permanent teeth. Discussion: A total of 12 articles were included. Regarding dentin caries prevention, 2 studies found resin FS in favour of no FS and 2 studies found FV in favor of controls. 1 study agreed glass ionomer FS and no FS comparable. 3 studies agreed FV and FS were comparable. 1 study agreed resin FS and glass ionomer FS comparable. 1 study also found FV, FS and O comparable. Regarding dentin remineralization, 2 studies found O were comparable with FS dan calcium hydroxide base. These methods are safe for children. Conclusion: Fluoride varnish, fissure sealant and ozone are effective in preventing children’s caries with their own benefits and drawbacks. None of the methods is superior over another as there were a variety of the data reported.