Comparing the effectiveness of caries arrest by micro-operative treatment to operative treatment: A 2-year randomized controlled clinical trial

To compare the effectiveness of caries arrest by micro-operative treatment (sealing) to operative treatment (flowable resin composite restoration) through a 2-year randomized controlled clinical trial. A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted among 7-9-year-old children. At baseline, 630 subjects were screened and 92 children who had at least one carious lesion classified as ICDAS 3 on the pit and fissure of first permanent molar were included. Then they were randomly assigned to the sealant group (73 lesions) and the flowable resin composite group (76 lesions) to receive the corresponding intervention. Lesions status in each group was evaluated every 6 months up to 24 months. Clinical progression of dental caries and materials retention were the outcomes used for group comparisons at p-value < 0.05. After 24 months, three lesions (4.1 http://www.chictr.org.cn ; Feb 15th, 2020; No. ChiCTR2000029862.