Retention rate of giomer S-PRG filler containing pit and fissure sealant applied with or without etching: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Pit and fissure sealant is a micro-invasive modality for treating deep and retentive pits and fissures to prevent and/or stop occlusal caries. Every effort needs to be done to enhance sealant retention and survival. The aim of this research is to assess the retention rate of giomer S-PRG filler containing pit and fissure sealant applied with or without etching.

Methods: Overall, 52 patients were included in this trial and they were allocated randomly in 2 groups (n = 26). Group 1 (control group) received giomer sealant (Beautisealant, Shofu, Kyoto, Japan) without an etching step, and group 2 (intervention group) received the same but with a separate preparatory etching step before the sealant application. The retention rate of the sealant was assessed over one year at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Intergroup comparison between categorical variables was done using the chi square test, while intragroup comparison was done using Cochran's q test followed by multiple comparisons. Relative risk was used to evaluate the clinical significance. Survival rate was analyzed using Kaplan-meier and Log-rank test.

Results: Intergroup comparison between both techniques revealed statistically significant difference within different follow up periods (P < 0.05). Intragroup comparison within both giomer sealant with etching group and giomer sealant without etching group revealed statistically significant difference between different follow-up periods (P < 0.001). There was 69% less risk for total loss or partial loss of giomer sealant with etching when compared to giomer sealant without etching after 12 months.

Conclusion: An initial preparatory step of etching to the enamel surface is crucial before giomer sealant application to enhance its bonding, increase its retention and promote its survival.

Trial registration: Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04929782. Registered 14 July 2024 - Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06509451.