Evaluation of fissure sealants retention following four different isolation and surface preparation techniques: four years clinical trial. Clinical evaluation of sealants and preventive resin restorations in a group of environmentally homogeneous children. A comparative evaluation of retention of pit and fissure sealants placed with conventional acid etching and Er,Cr:YSGG laser etching: A randomised controlled trial. Microleakage of sealants after conventional, bur, and air-abrasion preparation of pits and fissures. Pit and Fissure Sealant Retention Following Air Abrasion Preparation with Bioactive Glass and Aluminum Oxide Particles. Use of Pit-and-Fissure Sealants. Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guideline for the Use of Pit-and-Fissure Sealants. Comparison of acid versus laser etching on the clinical performance of a fissure sealant: 24-month results. Comparison of two tooth-saving preparation techniques for one-surface cavities. A two-year clinical evaluation of pit and fissure sealants placed with and without air abrasion pretreatment in teenagers. Evaluation of the effect of enamel preparation on retention rate of fissure sealant Retention and caries preventive effects of a GIC and a resin-based fissure sealant. A five years clinical evaluation of sealed occlusal surfaces of molars. Enamel pretreatment with Er:YAG laser: effects on the microleakage of fissure sealant in fluorosed teeth Effect of acid etching and different Er:YAG laser procedures on microleakage of three different fissure sealants in primary teeth after aging. Comparison of The Canary System and DIAGNOdent for the in vitro detection of caries under opaque dental sealants Effect of Erbium Laser on Microtensile Bond Strength of Fissure Sealant in Primary Teeth: An in vitro Study A comparison of retention and the effect on caries of fissure sealing with a glass-ionomer and a resin-based sealant. An in vitro investigation of pre‐treatment effects before fissure sealing Evaluation of the Effects of Enameloplasty and Air Abrasion on Sealant Micro-Leakage
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the retention of fissure sealants  , applied with 4 different combinations of isolation and preparation of occlusal surface . In 95 children aged 7 - 8 years , having all four first permanent molars fully erupted and caries free , a chemically initiated tinted fissure sealant was placed with the following 4 different methods in every child . 1 ) Tooth 16 : Cotton rolls isolation and cleaning of occlusal surface using a bristle brush and non-fluori date d paste . 2 ) Tooth 26 : Rubber dam isolation and mechanical preparation of pits and fissures using a round bur No. 0 in a slow h and -piece . 3 ) Tooth 36 : Rubber dam isolation and cleaning of occlusal surface using a bristle brush and non-fluori date d paste . 4 ) Tooth 46 : Isolation with cotton rolls and mechanical preparation of pits and fissures using a round bur No. 0 in a slow h and -piece .  Eighty children were available for re-examination 4 years later ( 320 teeth ) . The 4 methods of application showed the following success rates of full retention : 1 ) 81 % 2 ) 88 % 3 ) 91 % 4 ) 93 % . Although statistical analysis of the results revealed only marginal statistically significant difference among the four different methods of application ( p = 0.091 ) , there was statistical significant difference ( p = 0.031 ) between methods 1 and 4 . No differences were detected among the remaining methods . The present trial revealed best sealant retention using a combination of cotton rolls isolation and mechanical preparation of the occlusal surface . ( ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS PURPOSE Pit and fissure sealants reduce occlusal caries when proper patient selection and application techniques are followed . To increase retention rate of sealants over time , good adaptation and deep sealant penetration are important . Studies remain inconclusive , however , as to determining if the bur preparation of pits and fissures would increase the adaptation and penetration thus improving sealant retention . The aim of this study was to assess if tooth preparation prior to sealant application improves sealant retention . METHODS In this prospect i ve cohort study , 43 children and adolescents from 4 Hutterites colonies were , for 3 years , bussed to the University of Manitoba pediatric dental clinic , Winnipeg , Manitoba , Canada , for comprehensive dental care including  sealant placement  using st and ard procedures . These came from a community with homogeneous social economical status , dietary habits , fluoride intake , and lifestyles . The decision of tooth preparation prior to sealant application was made ad hoc . Of 122 treated permanent posterior teeth , 54 had been treated as preventive resin restorations ( PRRs , type A or B ) and 68 were nonprepared sealants .  RESULTS After 1 year , teeth prepared ( type B PRRs ) and restored with flowable composite resins had significantly ( P<.01 ) lower retention rates ( 27 % vs 63 % ) than did teeth with nonprepared sealants or typeA PRRs . Teeth prepared ( type B PRRs ) were also significantly ( P<.001 ) more likely to have caries on follow-up examination ( 50 % vs 11 % ) than were teeth with nonprepared sealants or type A PRRs . CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that preventive resin type B restorations restored with flowable composites are not helpful in terms of retention or caries reduction Aim : The aim of this study was to compare the retention rates of sealant placed either with conventional acid etching or Er , Cr : YSGG laser pretreatment of enamel surface . Material s and methods : This is a prospect i ve , single blind r and omised controlled clinical trial enrolling 200 permanent first molars in 50 patients , aged 6 - 12 years for sealant placement . Study followed split mouth design where each side of the arch was r and omly allocated to the two treatment group . Group A(Acid etch group ) : 37 % phosphoric acid ( Scotchbond , 3 M ESPE , Seefeld , Germany ) was applied for 15 seconds , rinsed with water for 20 seconds and then air-dried using air spray . Group L(Laser etch group ) : Fissures were prepared with an Er , Cr : YSGG laser system ( Waterlase , BIOLASE Technology , San Clemente , CA , USA ) emitting photons at a wavelength of 2.78 µm . Laser irradiation at 1.5 W ( 60 % air and 40 % water ) , in a noncontact mode , with a repetition rate of 20 Hz for 10seconds was used . Pit and fissure sealant ( 3 M ESPE , Clinpro ) was applied and cured for 20 seconds . One blinded , calibrated examiner , who was unaware of which preparation method has been used and who was not involved in the treatment procedures , evaluated the sealant at baseline and at 3 , 6 , 9 and 12 month follow-up visits . Results : It was observed that overall retention rate in group A was slightly higher as compared to group L at all time periods , however , the difference was statistically non-significant ( p-value>0.05 ) . CONCLUSION Er , Cr : YSGG laser etching is comparable to acid etching in terms of retention and patient acceptability PURPOSE The aim of this study was to compare the microleakage of unfilled and filled sealants after conventional , bur , and air-abrasion tooth preparation . METHODS Seventy-two extracted molars were r and omly divided into three groups . In group 1 , 24 teeth were prepared by pumicing and acid etching with 37 % phosphoric acid . In group 2 , 24 teeth were prepared with a 1/4-round bur in a low-speed h and piece and then acid etched . In group 3 , 24 teeth were prepared by high-speed ( 160 PSI ) microabrasion using 50 mu alpha alumina particles in a KCP 2000 machine . In each group , 12 teeth were sealed with a filled sealant and 12 teeth with an unfilled sealant . All the teeth were stored in artificial saliva for 7 days and thermocycled for 2000 cycles . Teeth were then sealed apically and coated with nail varnish 1 mm from the margins and stained in 1 % methylene blue for 24 h. Each tooth was sectioned in three locations and ranked ( 0 - 3 ) for microleakage . RESULTS There were 216 sections and 66 % showed no leakage . CONCLUSIONS Chi-square statistical analysis of the data led to the following conclusions : 1 ) superior results were obtained when the tooth surfaces were prepared by a bur , 2 ) conventionally and KCP 2000-prepared tooth surfaces yielded similar results , and 3 ) the unfilled sealant was superior to the filled sealant PURPOSE Alumina air abrasion is an alternative for acid-etch technique for tooth preparation before placement of a fissure sealant . The aim of this study was to compare the retention of sealants placed subsequent to air abrasion with alumina and bioactive glass ( BAG ) particles . METHODS Sixty-two 6 - 12 year old children were included in this study . Using a halfmouth design , the fissures were prepared using air abrasion with alumina particles on r and omly assigned permanent m and ibular or/ and maxillary first molars on one side of the mouth ( Group 1 ) and air abrasion with BAG on the contralateral side of the mouth ( Group 2 ) . Sealants were applied on 180 teeth , and were scored as missing , partially retained , and completely retained after three , six , nine and 12 months . Data were analyzed using Friedman and Wilcoxon tests ( α=0.05 ) . RESULTS Sealant retention rates in the alumina group were higher than those in the BAG group at all time periods ( P<0.001 ) . CONCLUSIONS Sealant retention after air abrasion with alumina particles was higher than BAG over 12 months BACKGROUND This article presents evidence -based clinical recommendations for the use of pit- and -fissure sealants on the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents . A guideline panel convened by the American Dental Association ( ADA ) Council on Scientific Affairs and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry conducted a systematic review and formulated recommendations to address clinical questions in relation to the efficacy , retention , and potential side effects of sealants to prevent dental caries ; their efficacy compared with fluoride varnishes ; and a head-to-head comparison of the different types of sealant material used to prevent caries on pits- and -fissures of occlusal surfaces . TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEW ED This is an up date of the ADA 2008 recommendations on the use of pit- and -fissure sealants on the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars . The authors conducted a systematic search in MEDLINE , Embase , Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials , and other sources to identify r and omized controlled trials reporting on the effect of sealants ( available on the U.S. market ) when applied to the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars . The authors used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment , Development , and Evaluation approach to assess the quality of the evidence and to move from the evidence to the decisions . RESULTS The guideline panel formulated 3 main recommendations . They concluded that sealants are effective in preventing and arresting pit- and -fissure occlusal carious lesions of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents compared with the nonuse of sealants or use of fluoride varnishes . They also concluded that sealants could minimize the progression of non-cavitated occlusal carious lesions ( also referred to as initial lesions ) that receive a sealant . Finally , based on the available limited evidence , the panel was unable to provide specific recommendations on the relative merits of 1 type of sealant material over the others . Conclusions and practical implication s : These recommendations are design ed to inform practitioners during the clinical decision-making process in relation to the prevention of occlusal carious lesions in children and adolescents . Clinicians are encouraged to discuss the information in this guideline with patients or the parents of patients . The authors recommend that clinicians re-orient their efforts toward increasing the use of sealants on the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents BACKGROUND This article presents evidence -based clinical recommendations for the use of pit- and -fissure sealants on the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents . A guideline panel convened by the American Dental Association ( ADA ) Council on Scientific Affairs and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry conducted a systematic review and formulated recommendations to address clinical questions in relation to the efficacy , retention , and potential side effects of sealants to prevent dental caries ; their efficacy compared with fluoride varnishes ; and a head-to-head comparison of the different types of sealant material used to prevent caries on pits- and -fissures of occlusal surfaces . TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEW ED This is an up date of the ADA 2008 recommendations on the use of pit- and -fissure sealants on the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars . The authors conducted a systematic search in MEDLINE , Embase , Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials , and other sources to identify r and omized controlled trials reporting on the effect of sealants ( available on the U.S. market ) when applied to the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars . The authors used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment , Development , and Evaluation approach to assess the quality of the evidence and to move from the evidence to the decisions . RESULTS The guideline panel formulated 3 main recommendations . They concluded that sealants are effective in preventing and arresting pit- and -fissure occlusal carious lesions of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents compared with the nonuse of sealants or use of fluoride varnishes . They also concluded that sealants could minimize the progression of non-cavitated occlusal carious lesions ( also referred to as initial lesions ) that receive a sealant . Finally , based on the available limited evidence , the panel was unable to provide specific recommendations on the relative merits of 1 type of sealant material over the others . Conclusions and practical implication s : These recommendations are design ed to inform practitioners during the clinical decision-making process in relation to the prevention of occlusal carious lesions in children and adolescents . Clinicians are encouraged to discuss the information in this guideline with patients or the parents of patients . The authors recommend that clinicians re-orient their efforts toward increasing the use of sealants on the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical performance of a pit and fissure sealant placed with the use of different enamel preparation methods , i.e. acid or Er , Cr : YSGG laser etching , over 24 months . METHODS Sixteen subjects ( 15 female , 1 male ) with no restorations or sealant present on their fissures and no detectable caries participated . Using a table of r and om numbers , a total of 112 sealants  ( 56 with acid-etching , 56 with laser etching ) were placed on the permanent premolar and molar teeth . All restorative procedures except for application of the laser were performed by the same dentist . After completion of the fissure preparation either with acid or laser , the adhesive was applied ; then a pit and fissure sealant , Clinpro Sealant , was placed and polymerized . Clinical evaluations were done at baseline and at 6- , 12- , 18- , and 24-month follow-up visits by two calibrated examiners , who were unaware of which etching method had been used . The retention of sealants and caries were evaluated with the aid of a dental explorer and an intra-oral mirror . Each sealant was evaluated using the following criteria : 1=completely retained ; 2= partial loss ; 3= total loss . The Pearson chi-square test was used to evaluate differences in the retention rates among the sealants used with different etching methods . RESULTS All patients attended the 24-month follow-up visit and all sealants were evaluated ( total recall rate 100 % ) . At the end of 24 months , 83.9 % of the sealants from laser group and 85.7 % of those from acid-etch group were recorded as " completely retained " . There were no statistically significant differences in retention rates among the preparation methods after all evaluation periods ( p>0.05 ) . No statistically significant differences were found between the retention rates of premolar and molars at each evaluation period . No secondary caries was detected in association with any sealants . CONCLUSION The clinical performance of fissure sealants placed after acid or Er , Cr : YSGG laser etching was similar The atraumatic restorative treatment technique ( ART ) is based on removing infected tooth material using only h and instruments and filling the subsequently cleaned cavity with adhesive material such as glass ionomer . As its name suggests , the ART technique should be atraumatic during treatment , as well as for the tooth itself as for the patient . It was primarily developed for treating people living in underserved areas of the world where re sources and facilities such as electricity and trained manpower are limited . Many studies have evaluated the ART technique and the results have supported its application . However , a very limited number of studies have compared ART with more conventional techniques . For that reason , a study was conducted in Pakistan , to compare the ART technique with another more conventional treatment technique . The results of this study show that the preparations with h and instruments result ed in smaller sized cavities and therefore may be less traumatic to the tooth . It was also associated with less pain reactions compared to the more conventional technique . Although preparations with h and instruments required more time , this did not seem to affect the survival of restorations . The survival of glass ionomer cement restorations  made with h and instruments was comparable with single surface amalgam restorations made with a more conventional technique . Recurrent caries was not associated with any glass ionomer cement restorations made with h and instruments . The retention rate of glass ionomer sealants was low , however one dentist had a sealant retention rate of 81.5 percent that suggests that this procedure can be performed satisfactorily in conjunction with a glass ionomer cement restoration . Operator variances did seem to affect the restorations . Survival of glass ionomer restorations  made with both h and and rotary instruments varied for different operators . Similarly , the retention of fissure sealant also varied amongst operators . Operator differences also influenced the extent of tooth substance lost due to cavity preparation . The ART technique is a feasible approach towards the treatment of dental caries especially of one-surface lesions for underserved population BACKGROUND Long-term retention of pit and fissure sealants is essential for their success . The aim of this study was to compare the retention rates of sealants placed with acid-etching and air abrasion followed by acid etching . METHODS Sixteen subjects aged 16 and 17 years were included in the study . Using a half-mouth design , the authors performed fissure preparation with phosphoric acid gel on r and omly assigned maxillary and m and ibular permanent premolars and molars from one side of the mouth ( Group I ) and performed air abrasion followed by acid etching on the contralateral side of the mouth ( Group II ) . The authors applied sealant material on 162 teeth , and they evaluated the sealants as complete retention , partial loss or total loss at six , 12 and 24 months . RESULTS While fissure sealant retention rates were not significantly different for the two techniques at six months ( P = .97 ) , the retention rates for the teeth in Group II were significantly higher at 12 ( P = .025 ) and 24 months ( P = .002 ) . Molar retention rates were significantly less than those for premolars at each evaluation period ( P < .05 ) . CONCLUSION The sealant retention rates at 12 and 24 months were higher in Group II ( air abrasion followed by acid etching ) . CLINICAL IMPLICATION S As air abrasion followed by acid etching result ed in significantly higher sealant retention rates , this method could be a good choice for fissure preparation before sealant placement for long-term success Background : Prevention from caries is a principle in dentistry and fissure sealant therapy is being used as a preventive method success of sealants is directly depending on their retention . Aim : The Aim of the present study is to evaluate effects of enamel preparation on sealant retention . Setting s and Design : Clinical trial . Material s and Methods : About 57 children aged 6 - 8 year old took part in this study . 200 first molar teeth of these children has been r and omly separated into two groups : A case group ( Mechanically preparation of enamel ) and a control group ( conventional method , without preparation ) . After applying fissure sealants children were followed up 6 months later . Statistical Analysis Used : Mann- U- Whitney Test was used . Results : Complete retention after 6 month follow up was 86.7 % in case group and 82.8 % in control group . No significant difference was seen between the groups after 6 month follow up . ( P = 0.508 ) . Conclusion : Although statistical evaluation did n't show significant difference , but sealant retention was more after preparation technique Abstract Fissure sealing using partially filled resins is an established caries preventive practice . Glass ionomer cement ( GIC ) sealants may offer additional advantages due to their ability to bond chemically to enamel and release fluoride . The aim of this study was to compare the caries preventive effect and retention of a GIC and a resin-based sealant . Ketac-fil ® was tested against a chemically cured resin-based material ( Delton ® ) using a split mouth design . Perth ( Western Australia ) schoolchildren ( n= 465 ) , mean age 7 yr±0.72 ( S.D. ) , received sealants  on the occlusal surfaces of sound homologous permanent first molar pairs .  Test ( GIC ) and control ( resin ) sealants were systematic ally allocated to left and right sides based on the child 's month of birth , and were placed by dental therapists . After 3.64±0.11 yr , 415 children were examined by different clinicians , and the clinical status of the teeth and the extent of sealant retention recorded . Sealants were deemed retained when at least 2/3 of the fissure pattern was still sealed . In 252 tooth pairs , neither sealant was retained to this extent . In 71 pairs , the GIC was not retained and the resin sealant retained . In 40 pairs the reverse occurred ( McNemar 's test , χ2= 8.66 , P < 0.005 ) . Net gain ( additional lesions prevented by the test agent per 100 treatments ) was 6.1%(95 % CI 3.3 % , 8.9 % ) . Effectiveness of the GIC was 80.6 % ( 95 % CI 59.6 % , 90.7 % ) . The relative risk of caries in test teeth was 0.19 ( 95 % CI 0.09 , 0.40 ) . The study suggests that complete retention of GIC sealant is not necessary for caries prevention in newly erupted permanent first molars BACKGROUND Air-abrasion can be used for enamel preparation before fissure sealing as well as acid etching which is the evidence -based method for enamel preparation before sealing . AIM The aim of this study is to evaluate the status of sealed occlusal surfaces of the first permanent molars after one , two , and five years and to compare consequence of using the two different methods for enamel preparation before sealing . MATERIAL S AND METHODS At the baseline of the study 88 children of the age from 6 to 9 with caries-free permanent molars r and omly received  185 sealants after using the air-abrasion system KCP 2000 PLUS ( ADT Inc. ) and 121 sealants using the acid etching method with Vococid ( VoCo ) . Fissurit F ( VoCo ) was used for sealing . The status of occlusal surfaces of molars was scored as caries- free or decayed/restored by visual clinical assessment evaluation after one , two , and five years . RESULTS The sealants retention rate was 97.2 % , 91.9 % , 61.2 % in the air-abrasion group and 96.3 % , 92.6 % , 62.4 % in the acid etching group after one , two , and five years , respectively . The results showed 98.2 % , 98.0 % , 89.8 % caries free occlusal surfaces of molars prepared with air-abrasion method and 100 % , 100 % , 94.6 % caries free occlusal surfaces of molars prepared with acid etching method after one , two , and five years respectively . CONCLUSION The differences between the two methods : air-abrasion and acid etching in terms of sealant retention rate and caries development appeared to be statistically insignificant ( p>0.05 ) Objectives The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microleakage and penetration of fissure sealant  in permanent molar teeth with fluorosis after pretreatment of the occlusal surface . Material s and Methods A total of 120 third molars with mild dental fluorosis were r and omly divided into 6 groups ( n = 20 ) . The tooth surfaces were sealed with an unfilled resin fissure sealant ( FS ) material . The experimental groups included : 1 ) phosphoric acid etching ( AE ) + FS ( control ) ; 2 ) AE + One-Step Plus ( OS , Bisco ) + FS ; 3 ) bur + AE + FS ; 4 ) bur + AE + OS + FS ; 5 ) Er : YAG laser + AE + FS ; and 6 ) Er : YAG laser + AE + OS + FS . After thermocycling , the teeth were immersed in 0.5 % fuchsin and sectioned . Proportions of mircoleakage ( PM ) and unfilled area ( PUA ) were measured by digital microscope . Results Overall , there were significant differences among all groups in the PM ( p = 0.00 ) . Group 3 showed the greatest PM , and was significantly different from groups 2 to 6 ( p < 0.05 ) . Group 6 showed the lowest PM . Pretreatment with Er : YAG with or without adhesive led to less PM than bur pretreatment . There were no significant differences among groups in PUA . Conclusions Conventional acid etching provided a similar degree of occlusal seal in teeth with fluorosis compared to those pretreated with a bur or Er : YAG laser . Pretreatment of pits and fissures with Er : YAG in teeth with fluorosis may be an alternative method before fissure sealant application The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different surface conditioning procedures on microleakage and unfilled area proportions of three fissure sealants(Aegis , Helioseal and Helioseal F ) in primary molar teeth . One hundred and fifty teeth were r and omly divided into five main groups according to surface conditioning procedures . Main groups were ; acid-etching(Group A ) ; laser 3.75 W(Group B ) and 5 W(Group D ) ; acid-etching combined with laser 3.75 W(Group C ) and 5 W(Group E ) . Sample s were aged by thermocycling and water bath . Afterwards , they were immersed in basic fuchsin solution for 24 h and bucco-lingual sections were obtained from each tooth . Digital images were taken using a stereo-microscope and the microleakage and unfilled area proportions were assessed by using a software system . Consequently , Aegis FS containing amorphous calcium phosphate was found to exhibit the lowest microleakage in all surface conditioning procedures . Unfilled areas were not detected in Groups C and E of all FSs AIM The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of operators using The Canary System and DIAGNOdent  to detect natural pit and fissure caries under four commonly-used opaque dental sealants . METHODS Mixed sound and carious pits/fissures ( N = 105 ) selected from 40 human teeth were r and omly assigned ( 10 teeth/group ) to one of four opaque sealant groups ( Delton , Embrace WetBond , Helioseal F , UltraSeal XT Plus ) . Selected pits/fissures sites on occlusal surfaces were scanned with The Canary System and DIAGNOdent , sealed , re-scanned , and subjected to polarized light microscopy to confirm whether the scanned regions were sound or carious . Sensitivities and specificities for each detection method before and after sealant placement were calculated . RESULTS The Canary System and DIAGNOdent were able to distinguish between sound and carious tissue beneath opaque sealants with an accuracy of 76 % and 59 % , respectively . CONCLUSIONS The Canary System can serve as a clinical tool to aid dental professionals to detect and monitor the status of caries lesions and tooth structure underneath sealant . The increased likelihood of false-positive diagnoses with DIAGNOdent due to intrinsic auto-fluorescence of sealant filler and opacifying agents might limit its usefulness as an aid to detect caries underneath opaque sealants Background : Laser etching has several advantages as compared with conventional acid etching . However , results of earlier studies on conditioning surfaces with erbium , chromium : yttrium – sc and ium – gallium – garnet ( Er , Cr : YSGG ) before application of the fissure sealant have been inconclusive . Aim : The study aim ed to evaluate the microtensile strength of resin-based fissure sealant bonded to primary enamel conditioned by Er , Cr : YSGG laser with varying power outputs . Material s and Methods : Fifty sound primary first molars were r and omized into the following five groups based on pretreatment choice : Group 1 : 3.5 W laser etching + acid etching ; Group 2 : 2.5 W laser etching + acid etching ; Group 3 : 3.5 W laser etching with no acid ; Group 4 : 2.5 W laser etching with no acid and Group 5 : acid etching with no laser . Acid etch was performed with 35 % orthophosphoric acid for 30 s. Laser etching was performed with Er , Cr : YSGG ( 2780 nm ) laser using G6 tips and 600 μm diameter , 2.5 W or 3.5 W power outputs , pulse duration of 140 μs and a repetition rate of 20 Hz . Sealant was applied on the buccal surface followed by an incremental buildup with composite resin . Microtensile bond strength was assessed and compared among the five groups using one- and two-way ANOVA . Results : There was no statistical difference in the mean bond strength between groups except in Group 4 ( 9.66 MPa ) ( Group 1 : 15.57 MPa ; Group 2 : 14.18 MPa ; Group 3 : 14.78 MPa ; Group 5 : 14.63 MPa ) . Conclusion : Pretreatment with 3.5 W Er , Cr : YSGG laser alone results in microtensile bond strengths similar to that produced by acid etching , indicating that enamel etching using 3.5 W Er , Cr : YSGG laser would result in the long-term success of pit and fissure sealants in primary teeth OBJECTIVE To compare the retention and the caries preventive effect of a glass-ionomer developed for fissure sealing ( Fuji III ) and a chemically polymerized resin-based fissure sealant ( Delton ) . DESIGN A split mouth r and omized design using contralateral teeth . SETTING WHO Regional Demonstration , Training and Research Center for Oral Health , Damascus , Syrian Arab Republic . SAMPLE AND METHODS 179 children , 7 years old at the start of the study , were recruited from schools close to the Center . Only children with at least one pair of permanent first molars that were caries free or only had incipient lesions were included in the study . Follow-up examinations for sealant retention were done after 6 months , 1 year , 2 years and 3 years . The number of children available for reexamination was 129 ( after 6 months ) ; 121 ( after 1 year ) ; 115 ( after 2 years ) and 116 ( after 3 years ) . Four dental hygienists were trained in the sealant procedures and did approximately one fourth of the sealants each . RESULTS After 3 years the  glass-ionomer sealant was completely lost in almost 90 % of the teeth compared to less than 10 % of the resin sealed teeth . After 3 years the relative risk of a tooth sealed with glass-ionomer over that of a tooth sealed with resin was 3.38 ( 95 % CL : 1.98 ; 5.79 ) . This finding was consistent over type of tooth . CONCLUSIONS The glass-ionomer sealant tested in the present study had poorer retention and less caries protective effect than the resin-based sealant used BACKGROUND Fissure sealants prevent occlusal caries in permanent molars .  Enamel preparation methods are used before fissure sealing . AIMS To investigate effects of bioglass air-abrasion pre-treatment with and without an adhesive , on fissure enamel of permanent teeth , with respect to etchability , microleakage and microtensile bond strength . DESIGN Half of the occlusal surfaces of 50 extracted premolars underwent bioglass air-abrasion . Dye was applied to the entire occlusal surface . Photographs were taken to score etched surface by dye uptake . Adhesive was applied to 25 of the bioglass-treated areas and all teeth were fissure sealed , sectioned , and evaluated using confocal microscopy . Buccal and lingual surfaces of a further eight premolars were acid-etched and r and omly received : air-abrasion , adhesive , both , or none before sealant application for microtensile bond strength measurement in half of the sample s immediately and half following 6 months of water immersion . RESULTS Linear mixed models and multinomial logistic regression were used ( P = 0.05 ) . Bioglass air-abrasion significantly improved enamel etchability and reduced microleakage . The addition of an adhesive made no difference to either microleakage or microtensile bond strength . The combination of bioglass abrasion and adhesive led to more cohesive , rather than adhesive , failure . CONCLUSIONS Bioglass air-abrasion improved enamel etchability and reduced microleakage irrespective of the adhesive use but neither pre-treatment affected the microtensile bond strength Objective : Micro-leakage , one of the major reasons for recurrent decays , may lead to uncontrollable flow of liquids , pulp inflammation and peri-apical pathology . The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate micro-leakage of pit and fissure sealants after using three different pit and fissure preparation techniques : 1 ) acid etching , 2 ) fissure enameloplasty and acid etching , and 3 ) air abrasion and acid etching . Material s and Methods : Sixty-nine extracted sound molars and premolars were r and omly divided into three groups ( 23 sample s in each group ) . Teeth were prepared using one of three occlusal surface treatments . Then the sealant was applied on the occlusal fissures of all teeth . The teeth were thermocycled and stored in normal saline . All teeth were sealed apically and coated with nail varnish and then were immersed in a 2 % solution of methylen blue . Two buccolingual sections were made . The surfaces were scored 0 to 3 for the extent of micro-leakage using a stereomicroscope . Data were analyzed by Kruskal- wallis and Dunn procedure . Results : Enameloplasty and acid etching were significantly different regarding micro-leakage ( P= 0.016 ) , but no significant difference in micro-leakage was observed between air abrasion and the other methods . Conclusion : Enameloplasty followed by acid etching produced significantly less micro-leakage than the acid etching technique . Air abrasion acid etching was better than the acid etching technique in reducing micro-leakage too
One study reported that laser preparation as an adjunct to acid-etching enhanced the retention rate .
No significant difference in the incidence of caries was reported .
And no significant differences were found in heart rates , oxygen saturation or degree of the patient dental anxiety between acid-etching and laser preparation .
Conclusion The present limited evidence suggests that lasers could be an effective pretreatment method .
The retention rate was similar to that of conventional acid etching .
Background This systematic review aim ed to assess the clinical effects of laser preparation compared to other types of chemical or mechanical preparation of tooth surfaces used in fissure sealant placement .