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Week 4 - Pit & Fissures
Sealants
Facts
80% of caries in young permanent teeth occur in the pits & fissures
17 - 45% reduction in incidence of caries with application of sealants
Sealant placement is THERAPEUTIVE & PREVENTIVE
Preventive effect
placed in caries-free teeth
prevent dental caries
Therapeutic effect
Placed in teeth with incipient lesions
effort to stop decay process
Week 4 - Pit & Fissures Sealants 1
, Definition
Thin plastic coating of an organic polymer (resin) placed in the pits &
fissures of teeth. The sealant acts as a physical barrier to oral bacteria
and carbohydrates thereby preventing dental caries
How does it work?
Bonds by mechanical retention to enamel surface
Forms a protective layer
Types of Sealants
Classification by Polymerization
Polymerization
process by which sealants harden (liquid to solid)
Accomplished by self-curing (autopolymerization) or light curing with
visible light (photopolymerization)
Self-curing sealants
"Autopolymerized Sealants"
Used in community health or school-based programs
2 components
Universal liquid monomer
catalyst
Week 4 - Pit & Fissures Sealants 2
Week 4 - Pit & Fissures
Sealants
Facts
80% of caries in young permanent teeth occur in the pits & fissures
17 - 45% reduction in incidence of caries with application of sealants
Sealant placement is THERAPEUTIVE & PREVENTIVE
Preventive effect
placed in caries-free teeth
prevent dental caries
Therapeutic effect
Placed in teeth with incipient lesions
effort to stop decay process
Week 4 - Pit & Fissures Sealants 1
, Definition
Thin plastic coating of an organic polymer (resin) placed in the pits &
fissures of teeth. The sealant acts as a physical barrier to oral bacteria
and carbohydrates thereby preventing dental caries
How does it work?
Bonds by mechanical retention to enamel surface
Forms a protective layer
Types of Sealants
Classification by Polymerization
Polymerization
process by which sealants harden (liquid to solid)
Accomplished by self-curing (autopolymerization) or light curing with
visible light (photopolymerization)
Self-curing sealants
"Autopolymerized Sealants"
Used in community health or school-based programs
2 components
Universal liquid monomer
catalyst
Week 4 - Pit & Fissures Sealants 2
