Evidence Hub

Effect of Enamel Deproteinization Prior to Etching on the Clinical Performance of Resin-based Pit and Fissure Sealants: A Split-mouth Double-blinded Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Sneha M. Nair, Krishnapriya S Nene, Sunnypriyatham Tirupathi, Aditi Mathur, Hania A. Khan, Neil M Godbole, Prachi P Patil, Sayali Deolikar

International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, 2025

20 participants

Abstract

Abstract Background Enamel deproteinization using sodium hypochlorite entails the oxidation of organic components, resulting in the dissolution of proteinaceous components and subsequent cleansing of the enamel substrate. This oxidative treatment augments surface energy and promotes favorable interfacial interactions, thereby enhancing the adhesion and performance of dental materials, ultimately leading to better clinical outcomes. Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of enamel deproteinization prior to etching on the retention of pit and fissure sealants (PFS) at different time intervals among 6–14-year-old children. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite on the clinical performance and retention of pit and fissure sealants in permanent molars. Materials and methods A double-blind randomized controlled trial using a split-mouth design was conducted for a period of 1 year. The clinical trial registry was done CTRI/2023/06/053542. About 20 children aged 6–14 years, who required bilateral PFS for permanent molars, were included and divided into 20 units for each group. The contralateral side served as the control for the same patient. Randomization was performed using computer-generated numbers (Randomizer.com). Treatment was divided into two groups: group I: pit and fissure sealant with enamel deproteinization prior to etching, group II: pit and fissure sealant without enamel deproteinization. A blinded evaluator assessed…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 20 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free