HANDLING AND CLINICAL-PERFORMANCE OF A GLASS-IONOMER SEALANT

Purpose: To compare the handling and 6-month clinical performance of a n experimental resin-modified glass ionomer cement (K-512 = Fuji III L C) with that of a light-cured resin-based sealant (Delton Opaque) when used as a pit and fissure sealant in 15-27 year old subjects. Materia ls and Methods: Seventeen patients with 65 cement and 55 resin-based s ealants were recalled after 6 months for clinical examination and colo r photographs. Results: Sealant retention failures requiring retreatme nt were 74% for the glass ionomer cement sealant and 11% for the resin -based sealant, with one instance of fissure caries being found for ea ch material. The resin-modified glass ionomer cement sealant showed a slight darkening from its initial placement, and was also more difficu lt to handle than the resin-based sealant.