Systemic review of the prevention of pit and fissure caries of permanent molars by resin sealants in children in China.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between pit and fissure sealants and the prevention of dental caries in permanent molars of children in China. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions was followed. Articles published in English and Chinese from 2002 to 2013 were selected. All these studies were randomized clinical trials related to pit and fissure sealants on caries prevention. Data were analyzed using Software Review Manager 5.1. A search of the four largest Chinese medical literature databases and the PubMed/Medline database yielded a total of 397 clinical research studies about the effects of pit and fissure sealants on the prevention of dental caries; 20 original research studies were selected. In this meta-analysis, a total of 12187 participants were included. Statistical analyses demonstrated a significant association between pit and fissure sealants and dental caries prevention for a 6-month follow-up period (combined odds ratio=0.06, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.32, P<0.0001). For other follow ups, there was a trend in pit and fissure sealants preventing the occurrence of dental caries. Current clinical evidence suggests that pit and fissure sealants are effective for dental caries prevention. Sealants should be placed as part of an overall caries prevention approach. Further research with larger sample sizes and rigorously-designed clinical trials are required to corroborate the current results.