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A Comparative Evaluation of the Role of Self-Adhesive Flowable Composite in Enhancing Sealant Retention Versus Conventional Pits and Fissure Sealant With and Without Fissurotomy in Permanent Molars

A Comparative Evaluation of the Role of Self-Adhesive Flowable Composite in Enhancing Sealant Retention Versus Conventional Pits and Fissure Sealant With and Without Fissurotomy in Permanent Molars: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07399340
Enrollment
88
Registered
2026-02-10
Start date
2026-03-01
Completion date
2027-06-01
Last updated
2026-02-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Pits and Fissure Sealants

Keywords

Self-adhering flowable composite, Conventional pits and fissure sealant, Helioseal-F, Vertise Flow, Fissurotomy, Permanent molars

Brief summary

This RCT study aims to establish evidence-based decision comparing between self-adhering flowable composite Vertise™ Flow (Kerr, Orange, CA, USA) and conventional resin-based pits & fissure sealant Helioseal-F sealant (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein) with and without fissurotomy in sealant retention and prevention of occlusal pits and fissures caries in first permanent molars over a 12-month follow-up.

Detailed description

This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to compare the retention and clinical performance of a self-adhering flowable composite and a conventional resin-based pit and fissure sealant, applied with and without fissurotomy, in newly erupted permanent first molars of children aged 6-8 years. Occlusal pits and fissures are highly susceptible to dental caries in children, and long-term sealant effectiveness is strongly dependent on material retention and technique sensitivity. Self-adhering flowable composites offer simplified application with fewer clinical steps and may improve retention, especially in pediatric patients. Eighty-eight children will be randomly allocated into four parallel groups (1:1:1:1): self-adhering flowable composite with fissurotomy, self-adhering flowable composite without fissurotomy, conventional resin-based sealant with fissurotomy, and conventional resin-based sealant without fissurotomy. Sealant retention will be assessed as the primary outcome using Simonsen's criteria, while secondary outcomes include caries development, marginal discoloration, and marginal integrity evaluated using Ryge criteria. Clinical evaluations will be performed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. The findings of this study aim to provide evidence-based guidance on the optimal material and technique for pit and fissure sealing in children, potentially improving sealant longevity, reducing occlusal caries incidence, and enhancing preventive pediatric dental care.

Interventions

OTHERSelf adhering flowable composite Vertise™ Flow (Kerr, Orange, CA, USA) with fissurotomy.

1. Pits and fissures will be prepared using a Micro STF fissurotomy bur (SS White Burs Inc., Lakewood, NJ, USA) on a high-speed hand piece, the bur will be moved along all the occlusal fissures with a gentle force applied. (Bagherian et al., 2013) 2. Then washing and drying the tooth with compressed air. 3. Then self-adhering flowable composite (Vertise Flow, Kerr, Orange, CA, USA) with an A2 shade will be applied on occlusal fissures in 0.5mm and brushed on preparation for 15-20sec using a micro-brush with moderate pressure. (Sabbagh et al., 2017; Sharma et al., 2018) 4. Excess material around the margins will be removed. 5. After ensuring that there are no bubbles, the sealant will be cured for 20 seconds by light cure. (Woodpecker RTA Mini S, China). 6. If necessary, another layer will be applied and cured for 20 seconds.

OTHERSelf adhering flowable composite Vertise™ Flow (Kerr, Orange, CA, USA) without fissurotomy.

1. Before applying Vertise Flow, surface pretreatment according to the manufacturers' recommendations for uncut enamel.(Kucukyilmaz and Savas, 2015) Using 37.5 % phosphoric acid gel Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein) for 30-60 seconds according to the manufacturer's instructions, rinsed for 60 seconds and air-dried with oil- and water-free air spray using clean compressed air until observing the chalky white appearance. 2. Then self-adhering flowable composite (Vertise Flow, Kerr, Orange, CA, USA) with an A2 shade will be applied in 0.5mm and brushed on fissures for 15-20sec using a micro-brush with moderate pressure.(Sabbagh et al., 2017; Sharma et al., 2018) 3. Remove excess material around the margins. 4. After ensuring that there are no bubbles, the sealant will be cured for 20 seconds by light cure. (Woodpecker RTA Mini S, China). 5. If necessary, another layer will be applied and cured for 20 seconds.

OTHERConventional resin-based pits and fissure sealant Helioseal-F with fissurotomy.

1. Pits and fissures will be prepared using a Micro STF fissurotomy bur (SS White Burs Inc., Lakewood, NJ, USA) on a high-speed hand piece, the bur will be moved along all the occlusal fissures with a gentle force applied. (Bagherian et al., 2013) 2. Then the occlusal surface of the teeth will be dried and etched with 37% phosphoric acid (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein) for 15-30 seconds according to the manufacturer's instructions, rinsed for 30 seconds and air-dried with oil- and water-free air spray using clean compressed air until observing the chalky white appearance. 3. Helioseal-F sealant (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein) will be applied and directed into the pits and fissures by a sterile explorer to check that there are no air bubbles and light cured for 40 seconds by light cure. (Woodpecker RTA Mini S, China).

OTHERConventional resin-based pits and fissure sealant Helioseal-F without fissurotomy.

1. The occlusal surface of the teeth will be dried and etched with 37% phosphoric acid (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein) for 30-60 seconds according to the manufacturer's instructions, rinsed for 30 seconds and air-dried with oil- and water-free air spray using clean compressed air until observing the chalky white appearance. 2. Helioseal-F sealant (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein) will be applied and directed into the pits and fissures by a sterile explorer to check that there are no air bubbles and light cured for 40 seconds by light cure. (Woodpecker RTA Mini S, China )

Sponsors

Cairo University
Lead SponsorOTHER
National Research Centre, Egypt
CollaboratorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

The blinding of the operator is not possible due to the nature of the materials used and fissurotomy preparation

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to 8 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Normal healthy children aged 6 to 8 years. * Children with high caries risk * Completely erupted lower first permanent molars with deep pits and fissures. * Fissures either intact, sound or retentive which are stained, caries free or ICDAS 0-2. * Availability for the duration of the study. * Satisfactory dental care performed at home.

Exclusion criteria

* Children whose parents refuse to sign informed consent. * Long-term medication affecting the salivary flow. * Children enrolled for other studies or fluoridation program. * Adverse reaction reported to any dental material. * Uncooperative child. * Bruxism or malocclusion. * Children with developmental defects/ hypoplastic molars or caries affected teeth (ICDAS\>2). * Teeth with restoration and partially retained sealants. * Children who cannot come for the follow-up.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Sealant retention3,6,12 monthsSimonsen's criteria Score 1: Complete retention Score 2: Partial loss Score 3: Complete loss

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Presence of Caries3,6,12 monthsRyge criteria Alpha: Absence of caries Bravo: Prescence of caries
Marginal discoloration3,6,12 monthsRyge criteria Alpha: No discoloration anywhere on the margin around the sealant. Bravo: Visible partial discoloration on the margin around sealant. Charlie: Visible discoloration on the margin around all sealant.
Marginal Integrity3,6,12 monthsRyge criteria Alpha: Sealant had full adaptation to the adjacent tooth structure. Bravo: Evidence of gap detected by the tip of an explorer.

Countries

Egypt

Contacts

CONTACTEman MM Ramadan, Bachelors'
eman.ramadan@dentistry.cu.edu.eg+201121592653
STUDY_DIRECTORAdel ELbardissy, Professor

Cairo University

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 11, 2026