Monitoring pit and fissures using transparent sealant and fluorescence intraoral camera, 12 months follow up

The aim of this in vivo study is to report on the combined use of a fluorescence intraoral camera and transparent sealant for the clinical monitoring of pits and fissures. 96 permanent molars with a ICDAS II code 0, 1, or 2, (in 48 patients aged 12–14) were registered at the First Observation Unit (Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences Department), Sapienza University, Rome. Clinically selected teeth were double-checked using a VistaCam iX Proof (Durr Dental AG) and sealed with a transparent sealant (ControlSeal, VOCO GmbH), following the established indications for use if a pit and fissure condition was confirmed within the camera’s internal cutoff point of 1.5 (“early enamel demineralization”). Clinical followup was performed using VistaCam at 6 and 12 months to assess sealant retention and any demineralization trend. At baseline, 57.4% of the registered teeth were sound, both visually and when using the fluorescence camera, 42.6% presented an early demineralization (<1.5 with VistaCam and ICDAS II 1- 2). Subsequent VistaCam assessment of surfaces underlying the transparent sealant totally confirmed initial evaluations. Complete sealant retention rated 95% at 6 months, and 91% at 12 months. No case of complete detachment was observed. At the 12-month follow-up, VistaCam measurements resulted stable in the whole sample, except for one permanent molar, which presented a demineralization increment and partial sealant retention. Visual and fluorescence assessments were consistent and feasible. Incomplete sealant retention occurred in 5% of cases at 6 months and 9% of cases at 12 months and was probably due to procedure imperfections. The combined use of transparent sealant and a fluorescence camera shows clinical effectiveness and diagnostic efficacy for occlusal surface monitoring.