Retrospective evaluation of fissure sealants applied by dentistry students

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the adequacy and success of meeting protective expectations with increasing time of fissure sealants with resin content made by dentistry students in our clinic. Methodology: The 6-month controls of the resin-based pit and fissure sealants applied by the 5th-grade dentistry students to the patients who applied to the Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Dentistry Pedodontics Clinic between January 2022 and February 2022 were checked, and their survival was checked. SPSS 26 statistical program was used in the analysis of the data. The statistical significance level in the study was determined as p<0.05. A total of 85 patients and a total of 516 teeth, including premolars and molars, were included in the study. Results: A total of 128 teeth were processed in the right maxilla, and total retention was observed in 102 teeth. Right maxilla; When the left maxilla (p=0.001), left mandible (p=0.011), and right mandible (p=0.001) were compared in terms of total retention, a statistically significant difference was found. When the teeth are compared among themselves, the highest rate of a total loss of 50% is in teeth 26 and 47. When the teeth are evaluated according to age, teeth numbered 14 (p=0.001) and 24 (p=0.001) are 9 years old, teeth 35 (p=0.001) and 45 (p=0.001) are 9-10 years old, and teeth number 44 (0.012) At the age of 10, the percentage of total loss was higher than the other age groups, and a statistically significant difference was found. This suggests that the ideal isolation of the permanent premolars may not have been achieved since they do not fully erupt at the age of 9-10.  Conclusion: When all the results were evaluated, it was seen that the retention of fissure sealants depended on multiple factors, and their indications should be carefully examined.