Prevention. Part 8: The use of pit and fissure sealants in preventing caries in the permanent dentition of children.

Locker D, Jokovic A, Kay EJ. Community Dental Health Services Research Unit, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. david.locker@utoronto.ca

This paper reviews evidence concerning the use of pit and fissure sealants in preventing caries in the permanent dentition of children. While the evidence with respect to some sealant types and application techniques is incomplete, systematic reviews have clearly demonstrated that sealants are an effective preventive technology when used in high risk children, and that with proper application techniques long-term retention rates can be achieved. However, careful selection of patients and teeth for sealant placement is required to ensure cost-effectiveness.