Azmina Hussain, Sheikh Ajaz Rasool, Sadia Saeed.
Role of fissure sealants in the reduction of cariogenic bacteria in 6-8 year old children.
J Pak Dent Assoc Jan ;17(1):35-41.

OBJECTIVE: Dental caries is a multifactorial bacterial disease affecting the teeth of children & young adults. Fissure sealants are used to prevent bacterial ingress into fissures to minimize decay in children. The aim of this study was to find out role of fissure sealents in reduction of cariogenic bacteria in 6-8 years old children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred (6-8 year old) children/volunteers from Jinnah Foundation Trust School Korangi, Karachi were randomly selected. The oral hygiene and dietary patterns of these volunteers were recorded. The volunteer children were divided into two groups (trial/test & control). The trial group`s fissures were sealed with fissure sealants while control group`s fissures were not sealed. The first permanent molar was chosen for sealing as this is the first indicator of caries activity in permanent teeth. All first permanent molars were ensured to be caries-free as fissure sealants are preventive dental materials and are not restorative. The saliva samples of all 100 students were collected in sterilized wide mouth vials. It was then spread on TYCSB & on MRS agar plates for the isolation of Streptococcus mutans & lactobacilli respectively. The plates were incubated for 24 hours at 37°C & then CFU/ml was recorded for each sample. The trial group received fissure sealants while the control group di d not. Saliva sampling and isolation procedures were repeated after 4 and 12 weeks of fissure sealant application. The isolated organisms were identified by gram staining, growth characteristics (at different temperature ranges), hemolytic patterns, sugar fermentation, arginine and esculin hydrolysis. RESULTS: The results indicated reduction in the count of cariogenic bacteria in the trial group after the application of fissure sealants on first permanent molars whereas the count remained more or less similar in the control group of all three successive saliva samples. CONCLUSION: The study was to evaluate the role of fissure sealants in reducing bacterial count of Streptococcus mutans & lactobacilli in the saliva of 6-8 year old children which was found to be significant by the statistical means.

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