Sealants

Question 1

What percent of caries in permanent teeth are in pits/fissures

Answer 1

80 to 90%

Handbook p.168

Question 2

What percent of caries in primary teeth are in pits/fissures

Answer 2

44%

Handbook p. 168

Question 3

Are pit/fissure caries more common in primary or permanent teeth?

Answer 3

Permanent teeth
(80-90% in permanent, 44% in primary teeth)

Handbook p. 168

Question 4

What is more successful in sealant isolation: moisture control systems, rubber dam, cotton rolls?

Answer 4

All systems are comparable in sealant success

Handbook p. 168

Question 5

For permanent teeth, what is percent of caries reduction due to sealants after 1 year and after 4 years?

Answer 5

After 1 year: 86%
After 4 years: 58%

Handbook p. 168

Question 6

What circumstances should sealants be considered in?

Answer 6

• High risk patients
• Posterior teeth with deep pits and fissures
• Non-cavitated caries on occlusal caries

Question 7

Should sealants be done on primary teeth?

Answer 7

Insufficient evidence to support use of fissure sealants in primary teeth

Handbook p. 168

Question 8

What ethnicities have the highest risk of developing dental caries?

Answer 8

Hispanic and Black Children

Reference Manual

Question 9

When are GI sealants indicated?

Answer 9

• Transitional sealant
• Deeply fissured primary teeth with poor isolation/behavior
• Partially erupted permanent molars

McDonald and Avery Ch. 11

Question 10

Benefits of GI sealant

Answer 10

• Continuous fluoride release
• Hydrophilic
• Preventative effect may continue with loss of material
• Good for poor isolation and partially erupted molars

McDonald and Avery Ch. 11

Question 11

Effect of sealants on bacteria

Answer 11

• Reduce total number of bacteria - this continues to decrease with increased time after sealant placement
• Deprives bacteria of access to nutrients

McDonald and Avery Ch. 11

Question 12

What is less expensive/more effective in preventing occlusal caries: fluoride varnish or sealants?

Answer 12

Sealants

McDonald and Avery Ch. 11

Question 13

Are sealants under or over-utilized?

Answer 13

Over-utilized

McDonald and Avery Ch. 11

Question 14

Effect of fluoride varnish prior to sealant application?

Answer 14

Placement of fluoride varnish immediately prior to sealant application reduced sheer bond strength and had a negative effect on sealant retention

McDonald and Avery Ch. 11