Comparative evaluation of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Dental Sealants in preventing dental caries among 6–12-year-old school children: A split mouth randomized controlled trial

Background: Pit and fissure caries are challenging to deal with as the area is neither self cleaning nor accessible to conventional methods of tooth cleaning. Hence we need a good preventive measure to avoid the onset of caries in first place. Pit and fissure sealants are one such option.

Rationale: Conventional pit and fissure sealants are hydrophobic and cannot be applied where there are problems of moisture control. So isolation is mandatory for them. Hence hydrophilic sealants provide a hope to overcome the limitation.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of hydrophilic vs hydrophobic dentals in preventing dental caries.

Methods: It will be a split mouth randomized controlled trial among 6-14 year school children. One group will receive hydrophilic sealant and the other will receive hydrophobic one. Follow up will be done at 1, 6 and 18 months. Suitable descriptive and inferential statistics will be applied.

Expected outcome: We are expecting better retention with hydrophilic sealant material compared to hydrobhobic but no difference in cariostatic effect and discoloration. So that hydrophilic material can be recommended for newly erupted teeth that were left unsealed due to problem of moisture control among children.