Sealing of Initial Occlusal Caries Using Fissure Sealants

SmartCap™ Technology, which is used in the novel bioactive fissure sealant, is based on proprietary semi-permeable resin microcapsules. The rechargeable SmartCap microcapsules in BioCoat are packed with ionic fluoride, calcium, and phosphate solutions that diffuse in and out of the sealant. It is hypothesized that fluoride uptake is increased in the presence of calcium and phosphate ions.

With little evidence-based information in the literature about using bioactive fissure sealants to seal initial carious lesions, it was determined that a randomized controlled trial would be beneficial in testing the null hypothesis that bioactive resin pits and fissure sealant will have the same clinical performance as fluoride releasing resin-based pits and fissure sealant in fissures with initial caries.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with bilateral initial carious fissures in molars showing no signs of caries.
• Co-operative patients approving to participate in the trial.

Exclusion criteria

• Sound fissures.
• Pregnancy.
• Disabilities.
• Systemic disease or severe medical complications.
• Rampant caries.
• Heavy smoking.
• Xerostomia.
• Lack of compliance.
• Evidence of severe bruxism, clenching, or tempromandibular joint disorders.