Aim: This study aims to determine the application time of fluoride varnish (FV) versus resin-based fissure sealant (RBS) required to prevent caries in newly erupted permanent molars in a group of Egyptian children.
Materials and methods: This is a randomized clinical trial with two arms, parallel groups, and allocation-blinded. The total number of participants was 182, with ages ranging from 6 to 8 years. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: RBS as a control and FV as an intervention. The participants were treated by 2 post-graduate students (91) teeth in each part. In part 1, (45) teeth were in the FV group, and (46) teeth were in the RBS group. Of the 91 teeth only 89 teeth completed the follow-up at 6 and 12 months. Outcomes measured were the time of application which was calculated by a stopwatch.
Results: The results revealed that at the time of application, the base time results showed that FV had a significantly lower application time than RBS (p<0.001). While the difference after 6 and 12 months was not statistically significant (p>0.05).
Conclusion: The results of our trial demonstrated no significant difference between FV and RBS in caries prevention and the time of application for FV was shorter than RBS. Due to its lower cost, shorter time, and simplicity, we recommend the use of FV as a preventive material in dental public health programs, but RBS in a private dental clinic. Both FV and RBS were acceptable for children.