Efficacy of Sealing with Glass Ionomer Cement and Transversal Brushing Technique in Erupting First Molars: 18-Month Clinical Follow-Up

ABSTRACT

Objective: To verify the effectiveness of sealing with glass ionomer cement and transversal brushing in the prevention and treatment of initial caries lesions in erupting permanent molars of children aged 5-7 years. Material and Methods: Healthy teeth with ICDAS scores 1 or 2 were selected. One hundred and thirty-one children (79 teeth in the control group - 75 teeth in the test group) were randomly assigned into the two experimental groups (1) transversal brushing technique for plaque control with conventional flat bristles and fluoridated dentifrice or (2) sealing the occlusal surfaces with glass ionomer cement (Vitro Molar®). Follow-up was performed for 18 months and the survival analysis was applied to test the occurrence of lesion progression. Results: The mean age of children was 5.4 years and it was verified that, by examining the initial tooth condition, the probability of progression was 66% lower when the tooth had initial caries lesions than when it was healthy; the probability of molar progression was about 74% lower in the test group compared to the control group. The mean time for lesion development in the test group (16.8 months; SD = 0.5) was greater than that in the control group (16.5 months; SD = 0.5; p=0.008). Conclusion: Sealing reduces the progression of caries disease in initial lesions when compared to the transversal brushing technique.