Fissure Sealants & Protection Flashcards
Define fissure sealant as a procedure
A procedure that places a liquid material into the pits and fissures of a tooth which are susceptible to caries (usually the occlusal surface). It is a micromechanically bonded protective layer that acts as a barrier to stop cariogenic bacteria accumulating.
Sealants are…?
Resins
When shouldn’t you seal?
Shouldn’t seal stained fissures with decalcification as there might be caries moving into the dentine. Fissure investigation should be performed instead.
Factors that effect the placement of sealants
Operator skill Sealant material Fissure type Quality of enamel Phase of eruption
High risk for caries
Recurrent carious lesions High rate of caries in family History of pit and fissure caries Early childhood caries Frequent sugar Low saliva Poor hygiene medically compromised patients Low S/E Maori/Islands
Med risk for caries
No more than 1 cavitated lesion Several pre-cavitated lesions Deeps pits and fissures Irregular dental visits Ortho appliances
Low risk for caries
No caries present at all Good OH Adequate fluoride exposure Regular dental visits Low cariogenic diet No mess containing sugar
Define autopolymerising
Chemically cured (not light cured)
Sealants are chemically similar to…?
Composite (dymethacrylate monomer)
Contain BIS-GMA and UDMA
What does etch do?
Causes loss of minerals from the hydroxyapatite crystal structure Creates microporosities Increases surface area Increase wettability Increases adhesion Kills bacteria in the fissures Opens the dentine tubacles
What is a micro mechanical bond
After etching resin flows into microporosities and polymerises to form resin tags
Resin tags penetrate into the enamel and form the micro mechanical bond
Sealant procedure
Rubber dam Clean with non fluoride prophy paste Etch, rinse dry Apply sealant Light cure Remove rubber dam Check occlusion
When you evaluate the sealant, what are you checking for?
Bubbles
Thickness
Dislodged sealant
Voids
If the sealant is lost or partially broken you should…
Remove the rest of the sealant and replace the whole thing following the procedure
What is fissure protection?
application of a thin layer of gic to teeth that at risk of caries or erosion.
Non invasive
Good for PE molars
