Sealing Manifest Occlusal Caries Lesions in the Permanent Dentition

The research project "SEAL-DK" is focusing on advantages and disadvantages of two treatment strategies: non-invasive fissure sealing and invasive restorative treatment of manifest occlusal caries lesions in permanent teeth in children and adolescents. The purpose of the project is to promote the understanding of the possibilities of non-invasive treatment of occlusal caries lesions in the permanent dentition, and to increase the present knowledge about the optimal threshold for sealing or restoration, respectively, when treating such lesions. The project is carried out as a randomized study of the two treatment strategies: non-invasive versus invasive treatment of occlusal caries. When organizing the study, it is emphasized that no treatment shall be carried out, if conflicting the participating dentists' perception of clinically proper caries treatment, and that the results shall have a high reliability and consistency. The hypothesis is that caries progression can be stopped by non-invasive fissure sealing changing the threshold and postponing the time for invasive restoration.