Comparison between ionomeric sealants and resin sealants in the pediatric dentistry area of the Dr. René Puig Bentz Dental Clinic of the Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University

Pit and fissure sealants are essential materials used to prevent the accumulation of bacteria on the occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth. The accumulation of bacteria on the occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth prevents the formation of acids and therefore their role is to fill the pits and fissures in a preventive manner and they are mainly used in the paediatric area of dentistry. The objective of this research was to compare the significant efficiency of ionomer sealants and resin sealants in the paediatric dentistry area of the Dr. Rene Puig Bentz Dental Clinic of the Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University. To achieve this objective, a sample of 50 teeth was analysed, divided into two groups: group A with the resin-based sealant and group B with the ionomer-based sealant, where the retention and setting times of both sealants were evaluated. The results obtained showed that immediate retention was 100.0% for both resin-based and ionomer sealants, with no cases of partial retention. In terms of placement time, the mean placement time for the resin sealants was 3.54 minutes, the mean placement time for the resin sealants was 3.54 minutes, and the mean placement time for the ionomer sealants was 3.54 minutes. The mean placement time for ionomer sealants was 6.71 minutes. The resin sealants were found to provide a good seal in 95.8% of cases and a partial seal in 4.2% of cases during the first month. The same results were obtained for the ionomer sealant. In terms of post-operative control, 100% of cases with resin sealants remained at 2 months, while 79.2% of cases with ionomer sealants remained at 2 months and 20.8% at 1 month. Fisher's exact test showed a p-value of 0.049645, indicating a significant association between sealant type and durability. On the basis of the results obtained, it was concluded that the ionomer sealants in the controls did not show greater durability, shorter placement time and less immediate disadaptation than the resin sealants.