Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Sodium Hypochlorite Gel Application in Removing Dental Plaque Before Pit and Fissure Sealant Placement: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Objectives: To evaluate the cleaning efficacy of 2.2% sodium hypochlorite gel compared to pumice powder on the permanent first molars before applying the sealant. Materials and Methods: Sixty sound molars were recruited from30 patients (7-10 years) in which their plaque on the occlusal surfaces of permanent first molars was stained (Mira-2-Tone) and photographed. Molars were selected randomly and divided into 3 groups: G1 pumice powder (n=30 molars) G2: sodium hypochlorite gel applied for 30 seconds (n=30 molars), G3: sodium hypochlorite gel reapplied for another 30 seconds (n=30 molars).Then the Mira- 2tone was applied and photographed before and after the cleaning. In a conventional picture editing program.The occlusal surface and plaque were measured in pixels and the relative proportion of occlusal plaque was calculated. Samples from eachgroup were etched with 37% phosphoric acid gel for 15 seconds followed by placement of a sealant. Results: There was astatistically significant difference between after and before cleaning in the three analyzed groups (T test: p<0.05). The percentage of variation in coloring rate was 68%for the G3 group, while the percentage of variation in coloring rate G2 and G1 group was 44%, 39% respectively. Conclusion: The use of 2.2% Na0Cl gel for 60 seconds had a better cleaning efficacy comparing pumice powder and was able to remove dental plaque before applying the sealant.