Glass ionomer cements used as fissure sealants with the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) approach: review of literature.

Aim: To review the success of newer, more-viscous aesthetic conventional glass ionomer cements (GICs), that have been marketed specifically for the atraumatic restorative (ART) technique or approach, when used as pit and fissure sealants. As part of this approach, enamel fissures adjacent to the ART restorations are conditioned with poly (acrylic) acid (PAA) and then usually sealed with a GIC, using the finger-press method. Results: The newer GICs appear in vitro to penetrate adequately and seal occlusal fissures in permanent molar teeth, and clinical studies of the ART approach over three years have found sealant retention (full and partial) to be approximately 70%, with fissure caries approximately 0-4%. In two studies, fissure caries was significantly reduced in sealed as compared with unsealed teeth over three years. Conclusions: Although the results appear to be better with the newer than with earlier conventional GIC products, the ART studies have generally involved populations at low-risk to caries, and further improvements in the mechanical properties of the cements are required for optimal long-term clinical success. Etching the enamel fissures with phosphoric acid, instead of conditioning with PAA, before GIC sealant placement warrants clinical investigation.