Comparison of retention of two proximal sealants in mandibular first molars of 12-year-old school children - A split-mouth randomized trial

Aim: This study was done to assess and compare the retention properties of a proximal sealant made of polyurethane dimethacrylate and a resin-based adhesive system for sealing proximal surfaces of permanent mandibular first molars in 12-year-old children over a period of 6 months. Methodology: A split-mouth randomized trial was conducted among 50 school children. Pre-operative and post-operative bitewing radiographs were taken bilaterally prior at baseline and the end of the sixth month. Separators were placed for those children who did not have physiological spacing. The interventions were delivered on the left and right sides after randomization as per the manufacturer’s instructions, and post-operative instructions were given to the participants. The interventions were assessed for retention primarily and other criteria such as color match, marginal discoloration, marginal adaptation, anatomic form, caries formation (using bitewing radiographs), post-operative sensitivity, and surface roughness at the end of the 1st, 3rd, and 6 months using United States Public Health Service Modified Ryge Criteria for Direct Clinical Evaluation of Restorations proposed by Cvar and Ryge, 1980. The data were compiled, analyzed using SPSS and results were generated. Conclusions: The study results revealed that the resin-based adhesive system was better than the adhesive patch in terms of retention over a period of 6 months. Hence, the feasibility of including proximal sealants as a part of the preventive regimen for caries risk children should be positively considered.