Antimicrobial activity in pit and fissure sealants: a systematic review

Objective: This study aimed to systematically review the literature about sealants modified with materials to promote antimicrobial activity and answer the question “What is the effect of incorporating materials that promote antimicrobial activity to pit and fissure sealants?” Materials and methods: Data were collected from questions about the material incorporated, its concentration, purpose of incorporation, analyses, and conclusions obtained. The Cochrane Library, LILLACS, ScienceDirect, and PubMed databases were searched with the terms “SEALANT”, “ANTIMICROBIAL”, and “ANTIBACTERIAL”. The selection of studies was performed in two stages. Inclusion criteria were applied via the evaluation of titles and abstracts, and exclusion criteria, via the complete reading of the studies. The adapted Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool was used to analyze bias risk. Results: Due to the heterogeneity of the data found, it was impossible to perform a meta-analysis. We obtained 1389 references, including 11 of them in this review. Analysis of the studies found that modified sealants may show antimicrobial activity and alter their other properties. After applying the JBI tool, all studies showed low bias risk. Conclusion: Modified pit and fissure sealants show antimicrobial activity and altered physicochemical and mechanical properties.