COMPARISON OF RETENTIVE QUALITIES OF 2 GLASS-IONOMER CEMENTS USED AS FISSURE SEALANTS

Ideally, in view of rational practice management, the same GIC materia l may be used as a restorative material as well as a sealant material. The aim of this study is to compare the retention rates of a GIC desi gned as sealant material (Fuji Type IIIR,) and a glass-ionomer restora tive material (Fuji Type IXR). In a clinical trial using a split mouth design, 104 children (mean age 10.4 years, s.d. 1.2) of the Centre of Youth Dental Health Paramaribo (Surinam) received 208 sealants, 104 p er material. The sealants were placed in upper or lower first or secon d molars by dental auxiliaries. Moisture control was achieved by cotto n rolls. After four and nine months tile retention of the sealants was checked clinically. For tile evaluation at both times 99 molar pairs were available. After four months 46 percent of the Fuji IIIR and 72 p ercent of the Fuji IXR sealants showed complete retention. After nine months these percentages were 15 percent and 52 percent, respectively. In view of the study design, Relative Risks (RR), and their 95 percen t confidence intervals, were calculated. Converted to chance to total absence, the chance to absence of the material for Fuji IX was about 6 0 percent less than that for Fuji III (four months RR = .44 (.25 - .80 ) and nine months RR = .42 (.39 - .45)). In conclusion the GIC restora tive material showed to be more retentive then the GIC sealant materia l.