Is pit and fissure sealing of buccal surfaces useful in reducing incidence of caries of first permanent molars?

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ABSTRACT

Aim

The aim of the study was to establish whether caries prevalence on the buccal surfaces of first lower permanent molars
(FLPMs) can be compared to those on the occlusal surfaces in order to justify the utility of extending pit and fissure sealing also to the
extra-occlusal surfaces.

Methods

Design: an observational study was carried out in the children population
(n779) aged 14 years (mean age 7.68, SD 3.53) that presented at the Paediatric Dentistry Department of the University of
Perugia. In the study were included 460 patients, and absolute frequency (number) of FLMP occlusal and buccal caries, together with
their ratio and their difference in percentage, were recorded and analysed. Moreover, FLMP buccal caries variation related to age, sex
and parent's nationality were calculated.

Results

Among the 460 children included (243 males) aged 5-14 years, 103 erupted FLPMs
were analysed. Of their decayed surfaces (n115), the occlusal surfaces were 62 (53.9) and the buccal surfaces 53
(46.1); the absolute frequency ratio was 1.17 and the percentage difference was 7.8. The female gender was
significantly related to buccal caries of FLPMs [OR 2.66 (95 CI; 1.27-5.59; p0.0096)] as was the age ranging
between 10-14 years [OR 2.73 (95 CI; 1.36-5.50; p 0.004)]. The parents nationality was not significantly
related to buccal caries [Odds Ratio 1.47 (95 CI; 0.70-3.06; p 09040)]. CONCLUSIONS: The similar caries
susceptibility of buccal and occlusal surfaces of FLPMs stimulates further comparative studies about the usefulness of extending pit and
fissure sealing to the buccal surfaces in addition to the occlusal prophylactic intervention, particularly with regard to the female sex and
during the early eruption stages of these teeth.

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