Fissure protection

Question 1

What is the purpose of fissure protection?

Answer 1

• GIC creates a hardened outer surface using the glass ionomer reaction to form a more acid-resistant ion exchange layer which provides addition protection for the tooth
• The operculum covering the distal half of teeth during eruption tends to retain plaque and the initiation of the caries process before complete eruption = prolonged acid attack
• Thus, we protect the the newly-erupted, highly vulnerable immature molar with fissure protection
• When teeth are erupting, infra-occlusion occurs; the occluding surface of a tooth does not reach the normal occlusal plane and is out of contact with the opposing tooth.
• Infra-occluded teeth is hard to brush, so GIC is helpful because it releases fluoride which can protect partially erupted molars during brushing
* Teeth affected by enamel hypoplasia (thin enamel) and enamel hypomineralization in either primary or permanent dentition can be protected by GIC

Question 2

What is the composition of fissure PROTECTION GIC?

Answer 2

• Fine fluoroaluminosilicate glass filler
• Strontium based – provides radiopacity
* Polyacrylic acid and distilled water

Question 3

What is the normal working time of conventional GIC?

Answer 3

• Working Time (from start of mix) 1’40”

• Setting reaction can be reduced to 40 sec by light curing Fuji VII Pink for 40 sec using halogen curing light

Question 4

What is the composition of Fuji VII EP capsule?

Answer 4

• Fuji VII Enchanced Protection
• It has 3% RECALDENT ™ (CPP-ACP) into the high fluoride releasing Fuji VII
• Enhanced protection through biofilm inhibition, better than Fuji VII
• Addition of 3% CCP-ACP results in a slight increase in adhesive bond strength but a slight decrease in compressive strength, but these differences were not considered clinically significant