Clinical trial of a self-etching adhesive for sealant application: success at 24 months with Prompt L-Pop.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 2-year clinical sealant success when using Prompt L-Pop (3M-ESPE), the first self-etching adhesive, as the sole etching and adhesive step prior to sealant placement. METHODS: Patients ages 7-13 years with matched pairs of permanent molars needing sealants were enrolled into an ongoing clinical study of sealant success. First and/or second permanent molars were randomly assigned to control (sealant only after phosphoric acid etch) or Prompt plus sealant groups in a split-mouth, matched pair study design. Standard methods were used for sealant (Delton, Dentsply) placement, except for the Prompt group in which the self-etching adhesive was brushed on the surface, air thinned, followed by immediate placement of the sealant and polymerization. All sealants were placed using appropriate cotton-roll isolation and a dental assistant. Sealant scoring was done at 24 months using strict clinical criteria for failure, previously published, and photos of the sealed surfaces were archived on video. RESULTS: Percentages of sealants scored as successful (no significant loss of material or need for repair) through 24 months were: (a) Occlusal sealants: Control = 61%, versus Prompt = 61%; (b) Bu/Lingual sealants: Control = 54%, versus Prompt = 62%; McNemar's Chi Square tests indicate no difference in success between the Prompt sealants and their matched controls (P > 0.80). Time of placement for sealants, timed from start of the etch step through polymerization, averaged 3.1 minutes for Control and 1.8 minutes for Prompt. We conclude that Prompt L-Pop self-etching adhesive is effective in bonding sealant to enamel and that the simplified method dramatically shortens treatment time and treatment complexity.