DENT 742 - Dental Sealants

Resin material applied to the pits and fissures of teeth is a(n) _________ __________.

dental sealant

_________________ is a chemical reaction that changes a fluid substance to a hard substance.

polymerization

A type of resin material that is polymerized by a chemical reaction is ______-_______.

self-cured

A type of resin material that is polymerized by a light waves is _______-_______.

light-cured

A technique that prepares the enamel surface prior to the placement of sealant material is _________________.

microabrasion

____________ _______ is a sealant material that does not contain filler particles.

unfilled resin

_______________ is a movement of bacteria and oral fluids at the border of tooth structure or margin of the sealant or restoration.

microleakage

____________ is a component of acid etchant material.

acrylate

The sealant firmly adheres to the tooth surface because of _____________.

retention

Dental sealant can cause ______________ _______________.

occlusion interference

What is placed in sealant material to reduce occlusal wear?

a. polymer

b. color

c. filler resin

d. fluoride

c. filler resin

What does the term polymerization mean?

a. hardening of a dental material by exposure to ultraviolet light

b. leakage at the margin of the tooth structure and dental sealant material

c. changing of a simple chemical into another substance containing the same elements

d. dental sealant material having the ability to slowly release fluoride

c. changing of a simple chemical into another substance containing the same elements

What common allergen in dental sealants could cause an allergic reaction if the person already has sensitivity present?

a. phosphoric acid

b. acrylate resin

c. Bis-GMA

d. fluoride

b. acrylate resin

What type of procedure is the placement of a dental sealant?

a. preventative noninvasive

b. preventative invasive

c. restorative

d. surgical

a. preventative noninvasive

When dental sealants are properly placed, how many years can they typically last?

a. 1-2

b. 10-15

c. 5-10

d. 20-25

c. 5-10

What is the time of exposure needed to cure each surface of dental sealant with ultraviolet light?

a. 40 sec

b. 90 sec

c. 60 sec

d. 20 sec

d. 20 sec

What is the recommended instrument used to check the occlusion of the sealant after placement?

a. prophy angle

b. dental mirror

c. articulating paper and holder

d. explorer

c. articulating paper and holder

What is the purpose of the dental floss during dental sealant placement?

a. remove excess materials from interproximal surfaces

b. help flow the material into the pits and fissures

c. remove bacteria that may have come in contact with the enamel surface

d. remove excess materials from the occlusal surfaces

a. remove excess materials from interproximal surfaces

What is the primary cause of failure of sealant retention?

a. moisture contamination

b. occlusal height

c. preparation of the tooth surface

d. curing technique

a. moisture contamination

Bacteria cannot survive under a properly placed sealant because bacteria need which of the following in order to live?

a. exposure to new bacterial growth

b. a moist environment

c. light

d. a supply of carbohydrates as nutrients

d. a supply of carbohydrates as nutrients

acrylate

chemical agent composed of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid

dental sealant

thin coating applied to the occlusal pits and fissures of teeth to prevent decay

filled resin

sealant material that contains filler particles

light-cured

method of curing/setting of a dental material that is polymerized by a curing light

microabrasion (air abrasion)

technique used to prepare the enamel surface of a tooth before sealant placement

microleakage

microscopic passage of bacteria and oral fluids at the border of the tooth structure and the sealant or restoration

polymerization

chemical reaction of molecules changing from a simple chemical into another substance

sealant retention

sealant firmly adhering to the tooth surface

chemical-cured

type of material that is polymerized by chemical reactions

unfilled resin

sealant material that does not contain filler particles

Properly placed dental sealants are ___% effective in protecting against the development of caries in sealed surfaces.

a. 80

b. 90

c. 100

d. 70

c. 100

Sealants are indicated for which areas?

a. cervical 1/3 of any tooth

b. pits and fissures

c. posterior but not anterior teeth

d. the smooth surfaces of teeth but not pits and fissures

b. pits and fissures

The first step in placing dental sealants is to _____ the surface.

a. clean

b. etch

c. isolate

d. prime

a. clean

Chemical-cured sealant dental sealant materials are supplied as a

a. one-part system with a catalyst.

b. two-part system with a base and a catalyst.

c. one-part system with a base.

d. two-part system with a photo initiator.

b. two-part system with a base and a catalyst.

Which statement describes why pits and fissures are more susceptible to decay than smooth surfaces?

a. The enamel at the base of fissures is thinner.

b. Saliva cannot clean deep pits and fissures.

c. They do not benefit from the effects of fluoride.

d. all are correct

d. all are correct

Which statement is correct regarding a properly placed sealant over small initial carious lesions?

a. The decay will continue to develop under the sealant.

b. The number of bacteria in small carious lesions increases over time.

c. The number of bacteria in small carious lesions decreases over time.

d. Bacteria can survive under a sealant.

c. The number of bacteria in small carious lesions decreases over time.

What item can be used in interproximal spaces to prevent the etchant from contacting adjacent teeth during the etching procedure?

a. wedges

b. dental floss

c. mylar strip

d. separating disk

c. mylar strip

Each of the following is a claimed benefit of fluoride-releasing sealant materials except one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

a.  They create a fluoride-rich layer that may make pits and fissures more resistant to decay.

b.  They will prevent the formation of smooth-surface caries.

c.  They aid in remineralizing incipient decay.

d.  They will prevent future caries development even if the sealant is lost.

b. They will prevent the formation of smooth-surface caries.

Clinical researchers have shown that sealing the margins of amalgam and composite restorations with unfilled resins will do all of the following except?

a. arrest the progression of caries

b. preserve tooth structure

c. preserve existing restorations

d. promote microleakage

d. promote microleakage

Which should be done if a sealant is found to be partially lost during a subsequent examination?

a. Attempt to remove the remaining portion of sealant with a bur and replace the entire sealant with new material.

b. Freshen the remaining portion of sealant adjacent to the lost portion, re-etch the enamel, and apply new sealant to replace the missing portion.

c. Nothing. The sealant has penetrated the enamel rods and confers caries protection.

d. prepare the tooth for a composite restoration

b. Freshen the remaining portion of sealant adjacent to the lost portion, re-etch the enamel, and apply new sealant to replace the missing portion.

Which technique is sometimes used before sealant application to open fissures and remove slight decay?

a. bristle-brush polishing

b. scaling

c. microabrasion

d. rubber cup polishing

c. microabrasion

Which technique error most commonly leads to sealant failure?

a. moisture contamination from saliva

b. fail to cure properly

c. using too much material

d. not using enough material

a. moisture contamination from saliva

Each of the following is correct when comparing filled sealant material with unfilled sealant material except one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

a.  Filled sealant material has a lower wear rate on occlusal surfaces than unfilled sealant material.

b.  Filled sealant material may be visible on radiographs.

c.  Filled sealant material penetrates tooth fissures better than unfilled sealant.

d.  Filled sealant material requires occlusal adjustment.

c. Filled sealant material penetrates tooth fissures better than unfilled sealant.

What is an advantage of a tinted sealant material over clear or colorless material?

a. it aids in recall checks for sealant retention

b. the tint makes it easier to see on dental x-ray images

c. it is less expensive than a clear material

d. it is stronger

a. it aids in recall checks for sealant retention

Self-cured dental sealants polymerize to a final set within approximately ___ seconds from the start of mixing the two components.

a. 120

b. 30

c. 10

d. 20

a. 120

Which statement does not represent an indication for sealants?

a. patient with poor oral hygiene

b. a partially erupted tooth

c. teeth with dentinal defects

d. diet high in sugar

b. a partially erupted tooth

Which teeth would be the most likely candidates for sealants?

a. primary teeth expected to be lost soon

b. teeth with obvious decay on the occlusal surface

c. teeth with deep grooves in adults

d. teeth that have well coalesced enamel

c. teeth with deep grooves in adults

Sealants are especially useful through the caries-active period, which is

a. 15-21 years of age

b. 0-3 years of age

c. 6-15 years of age

d. 3-6 years of age

c. 6-15 years of age

Sealants are used in only ____% of low-income children.

a. 15

b. 50

c. 75

d. 30

d. 30

What is the primary reason that few children are protected by dental sealants?

a. They have not been shown to reduce decay significantly

b. There is a lack of public awareness.

c. They are not recommended by the American Dental Association.

d. They are not effective for prevention of pit-and-fissure decay in posterior teeth.

b. There is a lack of public awareness.

Sealant material should not be stored in proximity to ____-containing products.

a. acrylate

b. Bis-GMA

c. sodium bicarbonate

d. eugenol

d. eugenol

Enamel that has been etched has what appearance when dry?

a. slightly yellow

b. wet

c. shiny

d. frosty

d. frosty

The retention of the sealant is obtained by etching the enamel with what?

a. eugenol

b. pumice

c. phosphoric acid

d. citric acid

c. phosphoric acid

Which type of sealant is polymerized by photo initiators in the resin that are sensitive to light?

a. light-cured

b. self-cured

c. cold-cured

d. dual-cured

a. light-cured

What is the most common cause of sealant loss?

a. use of outdated material

b. use of unfilled material

c. chewing gum or sticky candy

d. moisture contamination during placement

d. moisture contamination during placement

Which of the following is the best indication for sealant placement?

a. good oral hygiene

b. partially erupted tooth

c. high caries risk

d. fluoridated water

c. high caries risk

Why are sealants contraindicated in teeth with proximal caries?

a. Why are sealants contraindicated in teeth with proximal caries?

b. Why are sealants contraindicated in teeth with proximal caries?

c. Proximal decay will spread to the occlusal surface.

d. Posterior proximal tooth preparation will usually include the occlusal pits and fissures.

d. Posterior proximal tooth preparation will usually include the occlusal pits and fissures.