Fissure Sealing

Question 1

What is a fissure sealant?

Answer 1

A fissure sealant is a material that is placed in the pits and fissures of teeth in order to prevent or arrest the development of dental caries

Question 2

Almost 50% of caries in school children was found where?

Answer 2

Occlusally

Question 3

Why are pits and fissures particularly vulnerable to caries development?

Answer 3

Plaque accumulates at the pits/fissures so the enamel does not receive the same level of caries protection from fluoride

Question 4

Which children will receive fissure sealants? (3)

Answer 4

• Children with special needs
• Children with extensive caries in primary dentition
• Children with caries in permanent molars

Question 5

Which teeth are the most likely to be given a fissure sealant? (4)

Answer 5

• Molars with deep pits and fissures
• Molars with complex fissure patterns
• Molars with stained fissures
• Incisors with deep cingulum pits

Question 6

When would you use GIC fissure sealants? (2)

Answer 6

• Useful when isolation is problematic

- In partially erupted teeth in high caries risk child

Question 7

What are the 3 types of fissure sealants?

Answer 7

• Unfilled composite resin
• Filled composite resin
• GIC

Question 8

Why are unfilled resin sealants preferred to filled?

Answer 8

Unfilled composite resin sealants flow more easily

Question 9

What are the steps of placing a fissure sealant? (6)

Answer 9

1. Clean tooth
2. Isolate
3. Etch
4. Wash + Dry (10-15secs)
5. Re-isolate
6. Seal

Question 10

What is used to etch the tooth when placing a fissure sealant?

Answer 10

37% phosphoric acid used for 20 seconds

Question 11

What precaution do you need to take during the re-isolation stage of placing a fissure sealant?

Why is this precaution taken?

What may you have to do because of this?

Answer 11

• If salivary contamination has occurred
• Glycoproteins could build up on enamel surface so bond strength of the sealant is highly reduced
• Re-etch

Question 12

At what height of the cusp incline do u apply a fissure sealant upto?

Answer 12

Up to one third of cusp incline

Question 13

How long do you light cure a fissure sealant?

Answer 13

20 Seconds

Question 14

How are fissure sealants considered cost effective?

Answer 14

Pits and fissures are generally recognised as highly susceptible to caries and are least likely to benefit from systemic or topical fluoride. Fissure sealants can prevent caries

Question 15

What percent of fissure sealants remain intact after 3 years?

Answer 15

75%

Question 16

What percent of fissure sealants are effective in caries prevention compared to unsealed?

Answer 16

70%