LAUSR

BACKGROUND Few studies report on managing initial proximal caries with sealants, and no reports focus on fluoride-releasing sealants. AIM To compare the effectiveness between applications of a fluoride-releasing sealant and fluoride varnish on proximal enamel caries to control caries progression in permanent teeth. DESIGN This was a split-mouth, randomized controlled trial in forty-four 11- to 16-year-old children with radiographic caries in at least 1 contralateral pair of teeth with proximal enamel caries. The lesions were evaluated using DIAGNOdent and visual assessment after tooth separation. The lesions in each subject were randomly sealed with fluoride-releasing sealant (Helioseal® F) or applied with fluoride varnish (Duraphat®). The fluoride varnish-treated lesion was reapplied at 3 and 6 months. Clinical examination, bite-wing radiograph evaluation, and DIAGNOdent assessment were performed at 6 and 12 months. The caries progression outcome variables were regression, no change, and progression. The data were analyzed with the McNemar-Bowker test. RESULTS The radiographic examination and DIAGNOdent assessment demonstrated no significant differences in the percentages of regression, no change, or progression at the 12-month follow-up (P > .05). CONCLUSION Fluoride-releasing sealant and 3 fluoride varnish applications resulted in a non-significant difference in caries progression of initial proximal caries at the 12-month follow-up.