Sealant Procedure

Question 1

What are the first 3 steps of the sealant procedure?

Answer 1

1. Prep: clean surface of tooth by rinsing and brushing with a toothbrush
2. Isolate: isolate with cotton rolls and dri-angle on parotid salivary gland (dull/texture side toward buccal mucosa and narrow pointed part toward posterior mouth)
3. Dry: dry using compressed air, dry for AT LEAST 10 SEC

Question 2

What do you do after you prep, isolate, and dry?

Answer 2

4. Apply etch: apply etch onto the occlusal surface (pits and fissures), leave etch on for the time recommended by manufacturer (USUALLY 20 SEC)
5. Rinse and suction: rinse and suction for AT LEAST 30 SEC, DO NOT CONTAMINATE WITH SALIVA
6. Re-isolate if necessary! Be sure to keep the field dry.
7. Dry: dry for AT LEAST 20 SEC. THE SURFACE SHOULD APPEAR CHALKY.

Question 3

After you’ve applied etch, rinsed/suctioned, and dried, what’s next?

Answer 3

8. Apply sealant: dispense SMALL amount of sealant onto prepared tooth surface (looks like a river), move it around with explorer, remove excess material with a microbrush, be sure there are no bubbles present
9. Light cure: light cure for 20 SEC ON EACH SURFACE (will beep twice when done)
10. Evaluate: evaluate with an explorer for complete coverage and absence of voids, check occlusion with explorer, floss, and articulating paper
11. Have instructor CHECK!
12. Apply fluoride varnish to tooth/teeth that were sealed
    ETCH TIP GOES IN SHARPS, SEALANT TIP GOES IN REGULAR GARBAGE

Question 4

If the tooth gets wet after etching (loses its chalky appearance) what do you do?

Answer 4

You must start over by re-drying and re-etching!!

Question 5

What materials do you need to do a sealant?

Answer 5

• amber glasses for patient
• cotton rolls, dri-angles
• cotton tips
• tooth brush
• microbrushes
• high volume suction tip
• air/water tip
• articulating paper
• floss
• curing light
• etch and tip
• sealant and tip
• assistant!

Question 6

Operator Zone

Answer 6

The area where the person who is performing the procedure sits: 7-12 for right handed, 12-5 for left handed

Question 7

Static Zone

Answer 7

The static zone is located directly behind the patient for tray placement. Suction and curing light may be placed here too. 12-2 for right handed, 10-12 for left handed

Question 8

Assistant Zone

Answer 8

The area where the assistant is positioned: 2-4 for right handed, 8-10 for left handed

Question 9

Transfer Zone

Answer 9

The transfer zone is directly over the patient’s chest, where instruments and dental materials are exchanged: 4-7 for right handed, 5-8 for left handed

Question 10

Clock positions for maxillary right occlusal and maxillary left occlusal

Answer 10

maxillary right occlusal: 11-12 RH, 12-1 LH

maxillary left occlusal: 11 RH, 1 LH

Question 11

Clock positions for mandibular right occlusal and mandibular left occlusal

Answer 11

mandibular right occlusal: 9 RH, 3 LH

mandibular left occlusal: 11 RH, 1 LH

Question 12

What does the assistant do?

Answer 12

The assistant must be able to see and retract tissues, suction, anticipate needs of operator, and maintain dry field. Stool should be elevated so that assistant’s head is 4-6 inch higher than operator.