OBJECTIVETo compare the retention and caries prevention of fissure sealant on the primary molars etched with self-etching adhesive and phosphoric acid in children.

METHODS43 children younger than 42 months with more than 4 decayed teeth were studied. The split-mouth design was used in this study. The second and/or first primary molars were randomly assigned into self-etching adhesive group in one side of mouth, and phosphoric acid group in the other side. Sealants were applied on 69 pair primary molars according to manufacturer' s instruction with dental cotton-roll isolation. The children were followed up every 3 months, and the sealants were observed and evaluated. In the case caries occurred, the teeth were restored.

RESULTSAfter 3 months, the retention rate was 93% in self-etching adhesive group and 100% in phosphoric acid group. At 6, 12 and 18 months, the retention rate of self-etching adhesive group was statistically lower than that of phosphoric acid group (P<0.05) by Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Caries occurred in both groups and self-etching adhesive group had more caries than phosphoric acid group. Though its retention rate was low, self-etching adhesive was suitable for young children because it was timesaving and its bonding procedures were simple without discomfort rinsing.

CONCLUSIONThe retention rate of sealant with self-etching adhesive was lower than that with phosphoric acid. The phosphoric acid is suitable for pit and fissure sealant. If self-etching adhesive is used for sealing primary molars of young children for a limited period of time, it should be reviewed every 3 months.