A 24-MONTH STUDY COMPARING SEALANT AND FLUORIDE VARNISH IN CARIES REDUCTION ON DIFFERENT PERMANENT FIRST MOLAR SURFACES

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the separate effects of dental sealants and fluoride varnish on dental caries in fissured and nonfissured surfaces of permanent first molars, Methods: A clinica l trial was conducted with three groups of 6- to 8-year-old schoolchil dren: a sealant group (n = 100), in which Delton was applied to first molars; a Varnish group (n = 98), in which Duraphat was applied to fir st molars; and a control group (n = 116), which had no intervention as part of the study. Absolute and percent caries reductions were compar ed at 24 months. Results: Compared to the controls, sealants resulted in a 68 percent and 87 percent reduction on fissured and nonfissured s urfaces, respectively. The corresponding figures for varnish were 38 p ercent and 66 percent Conclusion: Sealant and fluoride varnish are eff ective in preventing caries in both fissured and nonfissured surface.