This critical appraisal of a update of a systematic review was prepared under the auspices of the American Dental Associations Centre for Evidence-based Dentistry.
The aim of the review (Mickenautsch & Yengopal 2011) was to assess the caries-preventive effect of glass ionomer and resin-based fissure sealants on permanent teeth. This 2011 review was itself an update of one published by Yengopal et al in 2009
The commentator noted that while a number of databases were searched ( 9 in all) and independent data extraction and quality assessment was conducted there were other methodological concerns. Only English language studies were included. All the included studies were considered to be a high risk of bias so the authors conclusions should be considered with caution. The review found that both of glass ionomer and resin-based fissure sealants has caries preventive effects but the review found no evidence that one material was superior to the other.
Mickenautsch S, Yengopal V. Caries-preventive effect of glass ionomer and resin-based fissure sealants on permanent teeth: An update of systematic review evidence. BMC Res Notes. 2011 Jan 28;4(1):22. PubMed PMID: 21276215; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3041989.
Yengopal V, Mickenautsch S, Bezerra AC, Leal SC. Caries-preventive effect of glass ionomer and resin-based fissure sealants on permanent teeth: a metaanalysis. J Oral Sci. 2009 Sep;51(3):373-82. Review. PubMed PMID: 19776504
Other relevant guidance and reviews
Hiiri A, Ahovuo-Saloranta A, Nordblad A, Mäkelä M. Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Mar 17;(3):CD003067. Review. PubMed PMID: 20238319.
Ahovuo-Saloranta A, Hiiri A, Nordblad A, Mäkelä M, Worthington HV. Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in the permanent teeth of children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Oct 8;(4):CD001830. Review. PubMed PMID: 18843625.
Azarpazhooh A, Main PA. Pit and fissure sealants in the prevention of dental caries in children and adolescents: a systematic review. J Can Dent Assoc. 2008Mar;74(2):171-7. Review. PubMed PMID: 18353204.
Beauchamp J, Caufield PW, Crall JJ, Donly K, Feigal R, Gooch B, Ismail A, Kohn W, Siegal M, Simonsen R; American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs. Evidence-based clinical recommendations for the use of pit-and-fissure sealants: a report of the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs. J Am Dent Assoc. 2008 Mar;139(3):257-68. Review. PubMed PMID: 18310730.
