Dental sealant
Coating that covers the occlusal pits and fissures of teeth.
Light-cured
Type of material that is polymerized by a curing light.
Nuva-Seal was the first commercially available, light-cured pit and fissure sealant marketed to dentists. It used an ultraviolet (UV) light (Nuva Lite) source to polymerize the material. The use of UV radiation caused some concern in the ...
general public; as a result, the use of visible light-curing units followed shortly thereafter. As with so much of adhesive dentistry, the origins of this category of products can be directly traced back to the groundbreaking work of Dr. Micheal Buonocore
Most dental sealant materials are closely related to composite resin restorative material but are much less viscous (more runny). Sealant materials must be able to flow along with the pits and fissures of the teeth for maximum effectiveness. Once you unde
cured (hardened) by either mixing a base and catalyst together or by light-curing; the same is true of composite resin material.
Differences exist between the materials as well. Composite resin material doesn't flow to coat the walls of the etched enamel; a liquid bonding agent is required as an intermediary to ensure good bonding between ...
the resin and the enamel. Because sealant material flows readily, it coasts the etched enamel and no bonding agent is required.
The dentist decides which teeth will benefit from sealant application and which will not, but it doesn't hurt for you to have an idea of what thought processes the dentist goes through in making the determination. Some criteria that argue for sealant appl
1. Teeth with deep pits and fissures
2. Newly erupted posterior teeth
3. High caries risk
4. Poor oral hygiene
A few contraindications to sealant use include decay present in the pits or fissures (or interproximally). shallow pits and fissures, and ...
an ability to maintain a dry field for sealant placement.
You should be prepared to answer a pt's "Why?" questions as they relate to the routine procedures that are performed daily in the office. It is even a good idea to write down your explanation and have the dentist review it to be sure that your explanation
concise explanation, commit it to memory for the next time a pt asks.
Here is a brief example of an explanation for dental sealants:
The dentist is committed to preventing tooth decay in your mouth, not just treating it after it occurs. While the fluoride that we apply to your teeth strengthens the flat surfaces of the teeth, the pits and grooves remain vulnerable. Sealants cover thos
Dental sealant materials can be polymerized by 1. ............... or by mixing the base and 2. .............. components.
1. Light curing
2. Catalyst
The presence of ...................... on the occlusal or interproximal surfaces is a contraindication to sealant placement.
Dental caries.
Sealant materials are similar chemically to ................ .
Composite resin.
The presence of .................. grooves on newly erupted posterior teeth is an indication for sealant placement.
Deep.
The procedure for applying sealants is straightforward and uncomplicated. Perhaps the most difficult aspect of applying sealants is maintenance of a dry field throughout the procedure. This task is made all the more challenging when working on a young pt
the more difficult saliva control will be. Mastery of saliva control techniques such as a rubber dam and the use of cotton rolls and Dri-Angles is vital to the successful placement of dental sealants.
Sealant Application:
1. Clean the enamel.
2. Isolate the teeth.
3. Apply the etchant.
4. Rinse the etchant.
5. Apply the sealant.
6. Light cure the sealant.
7. Check for voids in the sealant.
8. Check the occlusion / adjust.
9. Give postop instructions.