Title A Longer Etching Time Does Not Affect the Retention of Fissure Sealants on First Permanent Molars and Second Primary Molars of Adolescents
Clinical Question On children’s permanent first molars and second primary molars, would an etch time of 15, 30, 45, or 60 seconds be most effective for sealant retention?
Clinical Bottom Line An etch time of 15 seconds is sufficient to produce the required etch-pattern for adequate binding of sealants. Data showed that there was no significant difference in the retention of fissure sealants on primary or permanent molars at a 6- and 12-month follow-up with the various etch times of 15, 30, 45, and 60 seconds. Therefore, it is concluded that etch times above 15 seconds are not more effective in sealant retention.
Best Evidence  
PubMed ID Author / Year Patient Group Study type
(level of evidence)
2656794Tandon/1989Adolescents under the age of 20Comparative Study
Key resultsThe purpose of this study was to obtain evidence on the minimum etch time for the primary dentition and how this would affect retention of pit and fissure sealants. It was concluded that a short etch-time of 15 seconds is enough to produce the required etch-pattern that would aid in sealant retention.
9524458Duggal/199784 children under the age of 16Clinical Trial
Key resultsThis study was conducted in order to explore the effect of different etching times on the retention of fissure sealants in second primary and first permanent molars. Etching times of 15, 30, 45 and 60 seconds were used, and the results of the different etching times were evaluated at the 6- and 12-month time periods. In conclusion, the authors found that a difference in etching time was not a factor in the retention of sealants on the first permanent molar or second primary molar.
Evidence Search Acid Etching, Dental
Comments on
The Evidence
Duggal’s study was a randomized clinical trial that had 2 follow-up periods (6 and 12 months), both of which contribute to increase its validity. In addition, Duggal's study was conducted on a total of 408 different teeth, and was conducted on a wide age range of children. Not much information about the Tandon study was provided; therefore, this study may have unknown levels of bias.
Applicability When a dental practitioner decides to place sealants on an adolescent’s dentition, an etch-time of 15 seconds would be a sufficient time to prepare the dentition for the sealant.
Specialty (Public Health) (General Dentistry) (Pediatric Dentistry)
Keywords Sealant, Etching time, Pediatric Dentistry
ID# 2900
Date of submission 04/09/2015
E-mail zimmera@livemail.uthscsa.edu
Author Aleka Zimmer
Co-author(s)
Co-author(s) e-mail
Faculty mentor Suman Challa, BDS, MS
Faculty mentor e-mail challas@uthscsa.edu
   
Basic Science Rationale
(Mechanisms that may account for and/or explain the clinical question, i.e. is the answer to the clinical question consistent with basic biological, physical and/or behavioral science principles, laws and research?)
None available
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Comments and Evidence-Based Updates on the CAT
(FOR PRACTICING DENTISTS', FACULTY, RESIDENTS and/or STUDENTS COMMENTS ON PUBLISHED CATs)
None available