Efficiency of Hydrophilic Compared to Hydrophobic Dental Sealants in Complex Patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

Sealants on complicated patients tend to have lower retention rates. This study was used to compare the retention rates in hydrophobic vs hydrophilic sealants during unideal conditions.

METHODS

PubMed was the database used for this study. Keywords used were water-repellent, water-responsive, children, pit, and fissure.

P: Complex patients

I: Efficiency of sealants

C: Hydrophobic vs hydrophilic

O: Higher retention rates.

RESULTS

(If applicable) Hydrophobic did better overall in the retention rate field. However, it was close on all three studies. All studies showed that the retention rates of the two sealants were very close and both are ethical choices.

CONCLUSIONS

Retention is not as high in hydrophilic compared to hydrophobic. Although hydrophobic proved to be the better option in less complicated cases, the stress-free application of hydrophilic may make it worth reapplying. Both sealants prove to be vital in the prevention of high-risk patients.

IMPLICATIONS

Our findings during this study showed us that both hydrophobic and hydrophilic sealants can be used to treat high-risk patients effectively. Using hydrophilic sealants instead of hydrophobic in complex patients could offer some relief to dental professionals. In the future, we hope to see more successful studies of hydrophilic being placed in complex case studies.