Dental Sealants

Flashcards about dental sealants, their application, and maintenance.

Ideal Sealant Criteria

Achieve prolonged bonding to the enamel, be biocompatible with oral tissues, offer a simple application procedure, be a free-flowing, low-viscosity material, have low solubility in the oral environment.

Classification of sealant materials

Classification by method of polymerization, by filler content, and by color.

Indications for Sealant Placement

Patients at risk for dental caries (any age).

Pit and fissure anatomy

Shape and depth vary.

Contents of a pit or fissure

Dental biofilm, pellicle, and debris.

Clinical Procedures - Preparation

Patient preparation, tooth preparation, and tooth isolation.

Clinical Procedures - Placement

Evaluate for complete etching, place sealant material, cure sealant, evaluate cured sealant, check occlusion, and follow-up.

Retention of Sealants

Check sealant at least every 6 months; properly placed, they will be retained for years.

Factors affecting retention

Precision of technique, moisture/contamination exclusion, patient self-care, and dental hygiene care.

Tooth preparation for replacement

Same as for original placement; removal of any firmly attached residual sealant is not needed; re-etch.

Documentation for sealant placement

Reason for selection of certain teeth, informed consent, type of sealant used, preparation of tooth, manner of isolation, patient cooperation, post-insertion instructions given.

Patient Education - Sealants

Sealants are part of a total preventive program and are not substitutes for other preventive measures.

Patient Education - Total Preventive Program

Limitations of dietary sucrose, use of fluorides, and dental biofilm control are major factors along with sealants for the prevention of dental caries.

Patient Education - Expectations

What can be expected from a sealant, how long it lasts, and how it prevents dental caries.

Patient Education - Maintenance

Need for examination of the sealant at frequent, scheduled maintenance appointments, and need for replacement when missing or chipped.

Patient Education - Habits

Avoid biting hard items such as a pencil, hard candy, or ice cubes to increase sealant retention.