The effectiveness of sealants in managing caries lesions

TY - JOUR

T1 - The effectiveness of sealants in managing caries lesions

AU - Griffin, S. O.

AU - Oong, E.

AU - Kohn, W.

AU - Vidakovic, B.

AU - Gooch, B. F.

AU - Bader, J.

AU - Clarkson, J.

AU - Fontana, M. R.

AU - Meyer, D. M.

AU - Rozier, R. G.

AU - Weintraub, J. A.

AU - Zero, D. T.

AU - CDC Dent Sealant Systmatic Review

PY - 2008/2

Y1 - 2008/2

N2 - A barrier to providing sealants is concern about inadvertently sealing over caries. This meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of sealants in preventing caries progression. We searched electronic databases for comparative studies examining caries progression in sealed permanent teeth. We used a random-effects model to estimate percentage reduction in the probability of caries progression in sealed vs. unsealed carious teeth. Six studies, including 4 randomized-controlled trials (RCT) judged to be of fair quality, were included in the analysis (384 persons, 840 teeth, and 1090 surfaces). The median annual percentage of non-cavitated lesions progressing was 2.6% for sealed and 12.6% for unsealed carious teeth. The summary prevented fraction for RCT was 71.3% (95% CI: 52.8%-82.5, no heterogeneity) up to 5 years after placement. Despite variation among studies in design and conduct, sensitivity analysis found the effect to be consistent in size and direction. Sealing non-cavitated caries in permanent teeth is effective in reducing caries progression.

AB - A barrier to providing sealants is concern about inadvertently sealing over caries. This meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of sealants in preventing caries progression. We searched electronic databases for comparative studies examining caries progression in sealed permanent teeth. We used a random-effects model to estimate percentage reduction in the probability of caries progression in sealed vs. unsealed carious teeth. Six studies, including 4 randomized-controlled trials (RCT) judged to be of fair quality, were included in the analysis (384 persons, 840 teeth, and 1090 surfaces). The median annual percentage of non-cavitated lesions progressing was 2.6% for sealed and 12.6% for unsealed carious teeth. The summary prevented fraction for RCT was 71.3% (95% CI: 52.8%-82.5, no heterogeneity) up to 5 years after placement. Despite variation among studies in design and conduct, sensitivity analysis found the effect to be consistent in size and direction. Sealing non-cavitated caries in permanent teeth is effective in reducing caries progression.

KW - pit and fissure sealants

KW - caries

KW - DENTAL-CARIES

KW - FISSURE SEALANTS

KW - HEALTH PROGRAM

KW - PIT

KW - SURFACES

U2 - 10.1177/154405910808700211

DO - 10.1177/154405910808700211

M3 - Article

SN - 0022-0345

VL - 87

SP - 169

EP - 174

JO - Journal of Dental Research

JF - Journal of Dental Research

IS - 2

ER -