Clinical trial of a self-etching adhesive for sealant application: success at 24 months with Prompt L-Pop.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the 2-year clinical sealant success when using Prompt L-Pop (3M-ESPE), the first self-etching adhesive, as the sole etching and adhesive step prior to sealant placement.

METHODS

Patients ages 7-13 years with matched pairs of permanent molars needing sealants were enrolled into an ongoing clinical study of sealant success. First and/or second permanent molars were randomly assigned to control (sealant only after phosphoric acid etch) or Prompt plus sealant groups in a split-mouth, matched pair study design. Standard methods were used for sealant (Delton, Dentsply) placement, except for the Prompt group in which the self-etching adhesive was brushed on the surface, air thinned, followed by immediate placement of the sealant and polymerization. All sealants were placed using appropriate cotton-roll isolation and a dental assistant. Sealant scoring was done at 24 months using strict clinical criteria for failure, previously published, and photos of the sealed surfaces were archived on video.

RESULTS

Percentages of sealants scored as successful (no significant loss of material or need for repair) through 24 months were: (a) Occlusal sealants: Control = 61%, versus Prompt = 61%; (b) Bu/Lingual sealants: Control = 54%, versus Prompt = 62%; McNemar's Chi Square tests indicate no difference in success between the Prompt sealants and their matched controls (P > 0.80). Time of placement for sealants, timed from start of the etch step through polymerization, averaged 3.1 minutes for Control and 1.8 minutes for Prompt. We conclude that Prompt L-Pop self-etching adhesive is effective in bonding sealant to enamel and that the simplified method dramatically shortens treatment time and treatment complexity.