Comparative Evaluation of Different Dental Sealants in Preventing Occlusal Caries in Children
1Dr Khizar Javed But, 2Tahmoor Ghori, 3 Muhammad Yousaf Ali, 4Asad Jahangir, 5Dr Shikoh Naz, 6Saima Asim
Submission: 15 January 2026 | Acceptance: 28 February 2026 | Publication: 28 March 2026
1Assistant Professor, Services Hospital, Lahore
2Associate Professor, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore
3Associate Professor Fatima Jinnah Institute of Dental Sciences Lahore
4Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad
5Associate Professor, Department Community Dentistry, Dental Section Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry
6Associate Professor, Community Dentistry Hamdard college of Medicine and Dentistry
ABSTRACT:
Background: Occlusal caries represents some of the most common complaints in preschool children, also easily occurring in the fissures and pits of molars. Dental sealants have been broadly employed as a preventive countenance nevertheless the efficiency of various sealant materials may vary strongly.
Objective: To assess the efficacy of different types of dental sealant materials on prevention of occlusal caries in children.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry, Karachi, between August 2024 to April 2025. 90 children aged 6-12 were randomized into 3 groups to receive one of 3 types of dental sealants; resin-based sealants, glass ionomer sealants and flowable composite sealants. The occlusal caries and the sealant retention were clinically evaluated at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.
Results: Resin-based sealants provided the best retention and lowest prevalence of occlusal caries after 6 months. The sealant performance of glass ionomer materials was moderate, flowable composites had lower retention and higher caries development when compared to the other two materials. The differences were all significant (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Resin sealants were the most effective of the sealant materials evaluated in inhibiting occlusal caries because of their relation to superior retention. Glass ionomer and flowable composite sealants were less effective. Both of these results justify the use of resin-based sealants in the clinic of preventive dentistry.
Keywords: Occlusal caries, dental sealants, resin-based sealants, glass ionomer, flowable composite, children, preventive dentistry.