Fissure sealant

Question 1

why use a fissure sealant?

Answer 1

to prevent fissue caries by sealing pits and fissures that are very susceptible to dental caries by providing physical protection against bacterial acid attack

Question 2

why are pits and fissures more susceptible to caries?

Answer 2

• difficult to effectively clean so plaque always left

- pits and fissures do not benefit from fluoride application like smooth surfaces

Question 3

what % of children aged 5-17 with caries have occlusal caries?

Answer 3

83%

Question 4

the most common teeth affected with occlusal caries?

Answer 4

6s

Question 5

what are the 4 advantages of fissure sealants?

Answer 5

1. avoiding possible future lesions
2. active caries is stopped from progressing further (provided there is a good seal)
3. tooth does not have to be cut (ie, irreversible damage avoided)
4. they are effective

Question 6

what are 2 disadvantage of fissure sealants?

Answer 6

1 - tricky to carry out (need good pt co-operation/operator skill)

2- need to be monitored
so pt should be - regular attenders

Question 7

when to use fissure sealants?

Answer 7

after risk analysis
- patient had high caries risk (eg xerostomia, learning disabiluty, medically comprimised)

after looking clinically at tooth

after acitive caries has been diagnosed

if pt cannot remove plaque from fissures as they are too deep or poor OH

Question 8

how to apply FS?

Answer 8

1. dry tooth (cotton wool roll etc)
2. apply acid etch
3. apply resin to tooth and allow to flow into fissures
4. light cure (can also be chemically cured)

Question 9

what did buconocore discover in 1955?

Answer 9

that treating enamel with phosphoric acid etched the tooth surface creating LARGE NUMBERS of SMALL POROSITIES

Question 10

what is the most suceptible time to get occlusal caries?

Answer 10

during eruption

perhaps due to

• immature enamel
• difficult to have good OH measures

Question 11

what is a ‘temporary sealant’?

Answer 11

• glass ionomer cement can be used to seal tooth

Question 12

what are the disadvantages and advantages of ‘temporary sealant’?

Answer 12

disadvantages

• wear off more quickly
• fall off more often

advantages

• child may be not be co-operative with tx of resin sealant
• highly anxious pt many have confidence built with tx
• use on partially erupted teeth that are unable to get adequate moisture control

Question 13

what GI would you use? and facts about it?

Answer 13

Fugi Triage

• sometimes contains some resin
• light cured
• come in a light pink colour or a white colour

Question 14

what are the advantages of using pink fugi?

Answer 14

can clearly see for placement and wear

has fast ‘command set’ light cure as it absorbs heat from light

Question 15

what are the advantages and disadvantages of white fugi?

Answer 15

• greater pt acceptance

- no command set for triage white

Question 16

what is the importance of a competent experienced operator?

Answer 16

sealants can be retained for up to 10 years

highly effective at reducing caries if placed correctly

can promote caries if poor seal!