What is a dental sealant?
Clear plastic coating that seals the pits and fissures of a tooth.
What is the function of a dental sealant?
Prevent dental caries in the pits and fissures.
Caries-active period
6-15 years
Whom are sealants primarily used on
Children
Sealants are used as part of what type of program?
Preventative
Two types of sealant material
Light-cured and Self-cured
Polymerization
To harden
Two part system self-cured materials are supplied in.
Base and Catalyst
What is the main component of etch?
Phosphoric acid
What is the primary cause of failure of sealant retention?
Moisture contamination
Two advantages of light-cured material.
1. Does not require mixing.
2. Operator can control polymerization.
What is used to clean the areas of the tooth to be sealed?
Bristle brush and pumice
How long can properly placed sealants last?
5-10 years
How effective are properly placed sealants?
100%
What is the shelf-life of sealant materials?
18-36 months
What color sealant is most popular?
Tinted or opaque
What is the working time for self-cured sealant material?
2 minutes
Failure of a dental sealant will be known within...
the first 3-6 months
Acrylate
A salt or ester of acrylic acid.
Filled Resin
Sealant material that contains filler particles
Light-cured
Type of material that is polymerized by a curing light
Microabrasion (air abrasion)
Technique used to open fissures before sealant placement
Sealant retention
Sealant firmly adhering to the tooth surface
Self-cured
Type of material that is polymerized by chemical reactions
Unfilled resin
Sealant material that does not contain filler particles