Clinical Evaluation of Retention of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Pit and Fissure Sealants in Permanent First Molars: An 18 Months Follow-up: Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION: Deep pits and fissures are more prone to caries development due to their complex morphological anatomy. Preventive measures, such as pit and fissure sealants, can help in the reduction of dental caries. Conventional sealants being hydrophobic in nature, require isolation. Sealants which are hydrophilic have been introduced as an alternative where isolation is difficult to achieve. AIM: To compare and evaluate the retention and marginal integrity of hydrophilic pit and fissure sealant (Embrace WetBond) with hydrophobic pit and fissure sealant (Clinpro) in permanent first molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sealants were applied randomly using the split-mouth design technique on 80 permanent first molars in children aged between 6 and 9 years and evaluation was done at 3, 6, 9, and 18 months. RESULTS: The difference in retention rates between the groups was not significant using the Chi-squared test, though the WetBond group exhibited better results with 40% complete retention at the end of 18 months while in the Clinpro group, it was 37.50%. The marginal integrity in both the sealant groups was also found to be statistically insignificant. Caries incidence was found to be slightly higher in the Clinpro group. CONCLUSION: The clinical performance of Embrace WetBond was better when compared to Clinpro because of its moisture-tolerance capacity. Embrace Wetbond pit and fissure sealant can be the choice of material in cases where moisture control is a challenging issue. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Gyati O, Jain M, Sogi S, et al. Clinical Evaluation of Retention of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Pit and Fissure Sealants in Permanent First Molars: An 18 Months follow-up: Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(2):350-356.