The effectiveness and ease of a one-step conditioning agent with conventional acid etch and priming in the placement of sealants: A 6-month follow-up

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the caries incidence of occlusal surfaces sealed using the two different techniques after 6 months and the ease of placement of sealant following the two techniques, for children and operator. Materials and Methods: Children between the age groups of 8–11 years and only mandibular molars were involved in the study; the techniques used for enamel preparation before sealant placement on the right and left side of the mandibular arch were randomized. On one side Adper™ SE plus and on the other side phosphoric acid etches together with Adper™ Single Bond 2 were used. Clinpro™ sealants were placed on both sides. The retention with these two techniques was compared after 6-month-based Color Coverage Caries system. The opinions of the children were taken on the two techniques that were used and recorded on individual questionnaires using Facial Grimace Scale and the operator by visual analog scale. Descriptive statistics carried out using SPSS (version 17.0). Results: Fifty-seven (95%) of the sixty children were available for the follow-up after 6 months. The retention of the acid-etch group was significantly superior (P = 0.00*) as was the caries preventive effect (P = 0.04*). Children felt that the placement of sealants was easier following enamel preparation with Adper™ SE Plus (P = 0.00*) and same as the operator. Conclusions: The regular acid etch with placement of sealant showed less caries occurrence on the occlusal surface after 6 months. Both the operator and children opined that acid-etch method for the placement of sealants is more comfortable.