CHAPTER 59 DENTAL SEALANTS
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
dental sealants - Correct Answers -· sealants represent one of the greatest advances of
modern dentistry
o Unfortunately, too many children do not receive the protective benefits of dental
sealants
· The purpose is to prevent dental caries in the pits and fissures.
· cover the tooth surface and prevent bacteria and food particles from settling into the
pits and fissures of the tooth
How Sealants Work - Correct Answers -Bacteria accumulate in the narrow and often
deep pits and fissures
o Saliva cannot clean these areas as it can the rest of the mouth.
o Enamel at the base of pits and fissures is thinner than the rest of the enamel, making
it easier for decay to penetrate to the dentin below.
Even a single toothbrush bristle is too large to enter and clean pits and fissures
The sealant acts as a physical barrier to block food particles and bacteria from settling
in
Dental caries and sealants - Correct Answers -· During sealant placement, some
bacteria will be trapped beneath the sealants
· Some teeth with very small initial carious lesions may be inadvertently sealed
· Numerous studies have shown that neither of these occurrences will increase the
chance of caries development or that caries will grow beneath the sealant
· Several studies have shown that the number of bacteria in small, existing carious
lesions that had been sealed decreased dramatically with time
Indications for Dental Sealants - Correct Answers -· Pit and fissure sealants are
especially useful for selected patients through the caries-active period (ages 6-15
years).
, o For teeth with deep pits and fissures
o Preferably in recently erupted teeth (<4 years)
Sealants should be used as part of a prevention program that includes the use of
fluorides, dietary considerations, plaque control, and regular dental examinations
Contraindications for Dental Sealants - Correct Answers -· Lack of pits and fissures
· Apparent occlusal decay
· Interproximal decay
· Insufficient eruption of a tooth
· Soon-to-be-lost primary teeth
· Poor patient cooperation in the dental chair.
Types of Sealant Material - Correct Answers -· A wide variety of sealant materials are
available
· The dental assistant should have a thorough understanding of the characteristics of
the various sealant products that are available
Method of Polymerization - Correct Answers -· The major difference among the
materials is the method of polymerization (setting)
· The two types are comparable in bond strength and rate of retention
--- self-cured
--- light-cured
Preventing problems with sealants - Correct Answers -etching
bite interference by sealant
failures
blocked contacts
etching - Correct Answers -take care so the etchant does not contact adjacent teeth or
soft tissue
bite interference by sealant - Correct Answers -if the sealant is too high, it might cause
interference with the patient's bite
Self-cured materials - Correct Answers -are supplied as a two-part system (base and
catalyst)
- When these pastes are mixed together, they quickly polymerize (harden) - usually
within 1 minute
Light-cured sealants - Correct Answers -do not require mixing
- After the material has been applied to the tooth, the curing light activates the setting
Color of sealants - Correct Answers -· Sealants may be clear, tinted, or opaque (white)
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
dental sealants - Correct Answers -· sealants represent one of the greatest advances of
modern dentistry
o Unfortunately, too many children do not receive the protective benefits of dental
sealants
· The purpose is to prevent dental caries in the pits and fissures.
· cover the tooth surface and prevent bacteria and food particles from settling into the
pits and fissures of the tooth
How Sealants Work - Correct Answers -Bacteria accumulate in the narrow and often
deep pits and fissures
o Saliva cannot clean these areas as it can the rest of the mouth.
o Enamel at the base of pits and fissures is thinner than the rest of the enamel, making
it easier for decay to penetrate to the dentin below.
Even a single toothbrush bristle is too large to enter and clean pits and fissures
The sealant acts as a physical barrier to block food particles and bacteria from settling
in
Dental caries and sealants - Correct Answers -· During sealant placement, some
bacteria will be trapped beneath the sealants
· Some teeth with very small initial carious lesions may be inadvertently sealed
· Numerous studies have shown that neither of these occurrences will increase the
chance of caries development or that caries will grow beneath the sealant
· Several studies have shown that the number of bacteria in small, existing carious
lesions that had been sealed decreased dramatically with time
Indications for Dental Sealants - Correct Answers -· Pit and fissure sealants are
especially useful for selected patients through the caries-active period (ages 6-15
years).
, o For teeth with deep pits and fissures
o Preferably in recently erupted teeth (<4 years)
Sealants should be used as part of a prevention program that includes the use of
fluorides, dietary considerations, plaque control, and regular dental examinations
Contraindications for Dental Sealants - Correct Answers -· Lack of pits and fissures
· Apparent occlusal decay
· Interproximal decay
· Insufficient eruption of a tooth
· Soon-to-be-lost primary teeth
· Poor patient cooperation in the dental chair.
Types of Sealant Material - Correct Answers -· A wide variety of sealant materials are
available
· The dental assistant should have a thorough understanding of the characteristics of
the various sealant products that are available
Method of Polymerization - Correct Answers -· The major difference among the
materials is the method of polymerization (setting)
· The two types are comparable in bond strength and rate of retention
--- self-cured
--- light-cured
Preventing problems with sealants - Correct Answers -etching
bite interference by sealant
failures
blocked contacts
etching - Correct Answers -take care so the etchant does not contact adjacent teeth or
soft tissue
bite interference by sealant - Correct Answers -if the sealant is too high, it might cause
interference with the patient's bite
Self-cured materials - Correct Answers -are supplied as a two-part system (base and
catalyst)
- When these pastes are mixed together, they quickly polymerize (harden) - usually
within 1 minute
Light-cured sealants - Correct Answers -do not require mixing
- After the material has been applied to the tooth, the curing light activates the setting
Color of sealants - Correct Answers -· Sealants may be clear, tinted, or opaque (white)
