PIT AND FISSURE SEALANTS ON PERMANENT TEETH IN CHILDREN: EFFICACY IN THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF CARIES – A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Dental caries on occlusal surfaces remains a relevant challenge in pediatric dentistry, particularly in newly erupted permanent molars, whose pit-and-fissure anatomy favors biofilm retention and makes cleaning more difficult. Sealants are a preventive and minimally invasive strategy capable of creating a physical barrier and contributing to the control of non-cavitated lesions. Objective: To analyze and synthesize recent evidence on the effectiveness of pit and fissure sealants in preventing and controlling caries in children's permanent teeth, emphasizing retention, clinical performance, and differences among materials. Methods: This descriptive and qualitative literature review was conducted through bibliographic searches in PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, and LILACS, with Google Scholar used as a complementary source to identify scientific publications on sealants applied to permanent teeth of children and adolescents. Studies published mainly between 2021 and 2026 were prioritized, including clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and umbrella reviews. Ten studies were selected for qualitative synthesis. Results: The evidence demonstrated a benefit of sealants in reducing caries risk in permanent molars, especially compared with no treatment. Resin-based materials generally showed greater retention, whereas glass ionomer materials offered advantages related to fluoride release and moisture tolerance. Recent studies also reported favorable results for hydrophilic resin-based sealants and different preventive strategies in children at higher caries risk. Conclusion: Pit and fissure sealants are an effective strategy for preventing and controlling occlusal caries in children's permanent teeth. Material and technique selection should consider caries risk, eruption stage, isolation conditions, expected retention, and the need for periodic follow-up.