Five-year survival rate of fissure sealings and fissure restorations.

Five hundred and thirty-four sealants and fissure restorations were checked up over a period of five years. The survival rate within five to six years amounted to 94.3% and 77.2% in relation to total and partial loss, respectively. It was significantly lower with molars than with premolars. No significant difference was found between sealants and fissure restorations nor with applications in the upper and lower jaws. Sealants and fissure restorations seem to be recommendable for the prevention as well as for conservative treatment of initial defects because more substance of the tooth is preserved than with conventional filling methods.