Restorative
Clinical performance of sealants placed under General anesthesia (Ambica M, Sujatha S, Akilesh S, NYU Langone Dental Medicine, Columbia, MO)
Ambica Mallipeddi, BDS, DDS (she/her/hers)
Pediatric Dental Resident
NYU Lutheran Dental Medicine, Brooklyn, NY
NYU Lutheran Dental Medicine
Columbia, Missouri, United States
Shreekrishna Akilesh, DMD, MPH
NYU Langone
Sujatha S. Sivaraman, BDS,DMD, MPH
Associate Program Director
NYU Langone Hospitals
Columbia, Missouri, United States
Sujatha S. Sivaraman, BDS,DMD, MPH
Associate Program Director
NYU Langone Hospitals
Columbia, Missouri, United States
Daniel J. Kane, DMD, MA
Program Director
NYU Langone Hospitals
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the clinical performance of sealants two years after the initial placement under General anesthesia (GA) compared with those without GA (non-GA) via retrospective chart audit. It aims to bring more insight into the effect of treatment conditions on the clinical performance of sealants, thereby assisting practitioners in clinical decision-making and modifications for sealant placements.
Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients aged 0-16 who have received first-time sealants at Compass Pediatric Dental Clinic between 1/1/2018 to 12/31/2019. The data was then subdivided into sealants placed under GA and non-GA. Primary outcomes were the sealant success rate (measured by the number of sealant reapplications and further restorative treatments on the same tooth). Data analysis was done by controlling for the rendering provider, patient age and gender.
Results: A total of 91 patients [Age-Mean(SD)=7.56(2.23); Female=50.4%] were identified that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among the patient population, 232 teeth received initial sealant application, with 48 (20.7%) placed under GA. Patients who had sealants placed under GA had an average of 0.129 fewer sealants reapplied compared to patients in the non-GA group.
Conclusion: At 24 months, sealants placed under general anesthesia were replaced fewer times compared to sealants placed without general anesthesia. This finding supports the placement of sealants as part of comprehensive dental treatment for patients treated under GA.