Influence of Surface Sealants on the Quality of Posterior Restorations With Bulk Fill Composites (SEALBULK)

May 12, 2026 updated by: Universidade Federal Fluminense
Treatment clinical trial, randomized, controled, parallel, double-blinded, with three groups, that aims to evaluate if there is some advantage in applying surface sealants (Biscover, Bisco, USA or Permaseal, Ultradent, USA) associated with a Bulk Fill Composite (Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill, Ivoclar Vivadent,Liechtenstein). Volunteers will be selected and recruited,following inclusion criteria and pre-established exclusion. All volunteers will be informed and sign a term of clarification and consent. 53 enrolled patients will receive 159 Class I or Class II dental restorations, made in three different ways, one from each experimental group (no sealant, or one of the evaluated surface sealants). Occlusal or Proximo-occlusal lesions will receive the selected treatments separated by groups. Group Bulk without surface sealant (BNS), Group Bulk and Biscover (BSB), and Group Bulk and Permaseal (BSP). Immediate post-operative tooth sensitivity will be evaluated after one week. Restorations will be evaluated every 6 months for pain assessment, shape, fractures, staining or recurrent caries, using scores. To determine in which group each tooth will be enrolled, the authors will randomize the teeth.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This is a Treatment clinical trial, randomized, controlled, parallel, double-blinded, with three groups, that aims to evaluate if there is some advantage in applying surface sealants (Biscover, Bisco, USA or Permaseal, Ultradent, USA) associated with a Bulk Fill Composite (Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill, Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein). Volunteers will be selected and recruited, following inclusion criteria and pre-established exclusion. All volunteers will be informed and sign a term of clarification and consent. All 53 enrolled patients will receive 159 Class I or Class II dental restorations, made in three different ways, one from each experimental group, using the same self-etching adhesive system, under the restorations that will use the same bulk fill composite. All patients must have at only 20 teeth in function, must have at only 3 carious lesion in occlusal or proximo-occlusal face in posterior teeth or old restorations in the same faces, with problems, that need to be changed. Those lesions must be more than 2 mm deep, should have exposed dentin, and must have at only 50% of margins in enamel. Teeth should not present periodontal mobility. Firstly, the patient will be anesthetized locally with 3% Mepivacaine solution, followed by prophylaxis with pumice powder and water. All cavities will be washed and dried after these procedures for optimal selection of color, using a color scale. Then, the rubber dam isolation of the teeth to be restored will be held. Occlusal or Proximo-occlusal lesions will receive the restorative procedurs in 3 different protocols separated by groups. Group Bulk without surface sealant (BNS): the adhesive system will be used in 53 teeth, according to the manufacturer's instructions, in the self-etching mode. The adhesive system will be brushed during 20 seconds in the cavity, will be air-dried during 5 seconds, and photoactivated during 10 seconds with Light Emission Diode (LED) light. Then, the Tetric N-Ceram Bulk fill composite will be used in increments of 4 mm, using the bulk restoration technique, and photoactivated for 40 seconds; Group Bulk and Biscover (BSB): adhesive and restorative procedures will be performed as described in group BNS in 53 teeth. After the restorations are concluded, Biscover surface sealant will be applied according to the manufacturer's instructions; Group Bulk and Permaseal (BSP): adhesive and restorative procedures will be performed as described in group BNS in 53 teeth. After the restorations are concluded, Permaseal surface sealant will be applied according to the manufacturer's instructions. Immediate post-operative tooth sensitivity will be evaluated after one week. Restorations will be evaluated every 6 months for pain assessment, shape, fractures, staining or recurrent caries, using scores. To determine in which group each tooth will be enrolled, the authors will randomize the teeth.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
53

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Brazil
    • Rio de Janeiro
      • Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 28625-650
        • Universidade Federal Fluminense - School of Dentistry

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • All patients must have at only 20 teeth in function, must have at only 3 carious occlusal or proximo-occlusal lesions, or old restorations that need to be changed, in different teeth. Those lesions must be more than 2 mm deep, should have exposed dentin, and must have at only 50% of margins in enamel. Teeth should not present periodontal mobility.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Volunteers with periodontal disease; with gingival bleeding; use of anti-inflammatory drugs in the last 30 days.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: Bulk without Surface Sealant
53 teeth will receive restorations using Bulk fill restoration without surface sealant
Procedure: Bulk without surface sealant
Adhese SE self-etch adhesive system will be applied according to the manufacturer's instructions in 53 teeth.Then, the Tetric N-Ceram Bulk fill composite will be used in increments of no more than 4 mm, using the bulk restoration technique, and each increment will be photoactivated for 40 seconds.
Experimental: Bulk with Biscover
53 teeth will receive restorations using Bulk fill restoration with Biscover surface sealant
Procedure: Bulk with Biscover
Adhese SE self-etch adhesive system will be applied according to the manufacturer's instructions in 53 teeth.Then, the Tetric N-Ceram Bulk fill composite will be used in increments of no more than 4 mm, using the bulk restoration technique, and each increment will be photoactivated for 40 seconds. After the restoration is completed, biscover surface sealant will be applied according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Experimental: Bulk with Permaseal
53 teeth will receive restorations using Bulk fill restoration with Permaseal surface sealant
Procedure: Bulk with Permaseal
Adhese SE self-etch adhesive system will be applied according to the manufacturer's instructions in 53 teeth.Then, the Tetric N-Ceram Bulk fill composite will be used in increments of no more than 4 mm, using the bulk restoration technique, and each increment will be photoactivated for 40 seconds. After the restoration is completed, Permaseal surface sealant will be applied according to the manufacturer's instructions.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Restoration Loss
Time Frame: Five years
It will be evaluated the increase in the number of losses of dental restorations in the period of five years, verified by periodic visual clinical examination (6/6 months) based on the statement of difference of at least 25% in the amount of remaining restorations in the different groups.
Five years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Marginal Pigmentation
Time Frame: Five years
It will be evaluated the increase in the number of dental restorations with marginal pigmentation in the period of five years, verified by periodic clinical visual examination (6/6 months) based on the statement of difference of at least 25% in the amount of stained restorations in the different groups.
Five years
Post-Operative Hypersensitivity
Time Frame: Five years
It will be evaluated the increase in the number of dental restorations with dentin hypersensitivity in the period of five years, verified by periodic clinical examination (6/6 months) based on the statement of difference of at least 25% in the amount of restorations with dentin hypersensitivity in the different groups.
Five years
Secondary Caries
Time Frame: Five years
It will be evaluated the increase in the number of dental restorations with secondary caries in the period of five years, verified by periodic radiographic examination (6/6 months) based on the statement of difference of at least 25% in the amount of restorations with secondary caries in the different groups.
Five years

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Universidade Federal Fluminense

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Director: MARCOS O BARCELEIRO, DDS, PhD, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
August 1, 2018

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
March 30, 2019

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 8, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
April 18, 2019

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 18, 2019

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
April 23, 2019

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
May 15, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 12, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • UFFBULKSEAL2018

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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