Fissure sealants: preventative resin restorations Flashcards
(22 cards)
What are fissure sealants?
preventative measures
seals pits and fissures of teeth, particularly molars
to prevent caries
What is primary prevention?
used on healthy, caries-free surfaces to prevent lesions
What is secondary prevention?
Sealants can also arrest the progression of non-cavitated carious lesions, particularly in early stages.
What is a preventative resin restoration (PRR)?
dental restorations applied when there is caries within dentine but the lesion has not progressed to requiring a full filling
PRR now refers to composite restorations.
What is hypo mineralisation?
enamel hasn’t properly mineralised
weaker enamel
What is hypoplasia?
enamel hasn’t been laid down in sufficient quantity
thin enamel
What is the difference between fissures sealants and PRR?
if caries free or enamel only -> fissure sealants
if lesion extends into dentine -> PRR
What are some tooth factors of caries?
depth of fissures
hypomineralisation
hypoplasia
inaccessible for cleaning
What are 4 types of sealant materials?
resin-based sealants
GI sealants
poly-acid modified resin sealants
resin-modified GI sealants
What are resin-based sealants composed of? Name example
UDMA and bis-GMA
example - ClinPro resin-based sealant
What are some qualities of resin-based sealants?
excellent bonding
durability
effectiveness at preventing caries
hydrophobic
light-cured or chemical-cured options
tinted or opaque options to help with visibility
What are GI sealants composed of? Name example
fluoroaluminosilicate glass powder
poly acrylic acid solution
example - Fuji Triage
What are some qualities of GI sealants?
fluoride releasing
hydrophilic
better moisture tolerance
less durable than resin-based sealants
What are polyacid-modified resin sealants composed of? Name example
compomers
example - VitroSeal Alpha
What are some qualities of polyacid-modified resin sealants?
hybrid of resin and GI materials
fluoride release similar to GI
but with strength of resin-based sealants
What are resin-modified GI sealants composed of? Name example
GI sealants with resin components
example - Fuji IX
What are some qualities of resin-modified GI sealants?
similar fluoride release to GI
longer working time
and less water sensitivity than traditional GI sealants
What are the 5 steps in placing a sealant?
preparation
- clean with pumice and rotary brush, or by dry brushing
- isolation with rubber dam, cotton roll, dry tips and good aspiration for moisture control
etching
- phosphoric acid (35-37.5%) for 20 seconds to create micropores on enamel surface
- improves adhesion
- wash thoroughly and dry
bonding agent
- light cure
sealant application
- apply to pits and fissures
- ensure there are no overhangs or air bubbles
- light cure
post-placement check
- no change in occlusion
- if thin, no need for articulating paper
What type of sealant has better retention?
resin-based (52% retention over 4 years) compared to GI
What are some failure factors of a sealant?
newly erupted teeth
high caries risk
poor isolation
How often should bitewing radiographs be taken for caries?
high risk - 6 months
low risk - annually
What are some signs of sealant failure?
loss of retention
visible cracks
worn-down surface
- must be replaced promptly
