Clinical success of fluoride-releasing fissure sealant in permanent first molars: 5-year retrospective study

Background/Aim: It is important to prevent caries on permanent first molars. Fissure sealants are very effective in protecting fissures from caries. The study aimed to determine the clinical success of fluoride-releasing fissure sealants in permanent first molars in the long term. Material and Methods: 64 children with 256 healthy erupted first permanent molars and followed for 5 years, comprised the study. Children who received a fluoride-releasing fissure sealant and came regularly to controls throughout 5 years were evaluated by retention rate and development of new caries and compared with a control group. Results: The complete retention rate of fluoride-releasing fissure sealants was 48.5% and 10.7 % of the sealed teeth had caries after 5 years. 25% of the teeth without fissure sealant were decayed after five years. There was no significant difference between the rate of retention of fissure sealants and the frequency of tooth brushing after 1 year. There was no significant difference between the rate of retention of fissure sealants and oral hygiene status of children after 1 year. Conclusions: The fluoride-releasing fissure sealants were effective for the prevention of caries on pit and fissures of permanent molars and long-term clinical success was satisfying.