UNIT 2 – SEALANTS EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Methods of Polymerization - Correct Answers -Self-cured or autopolymerized and
visible light-cured or photopolymerized
Major reason for sealant failure - Correct Answers -Salivary contamination. Retention of
sealant depends on maintaining a dry field during etching and placement.
Indications for dental sealants - Correct Answers -Deep pits and fissures so that
bacteria, particularly strep mutans, cannot be harbored for growth. Also incipient lesions
as a way of arresting progression of carious lesion
Purpose of using an etchant or tooth conditioner during the sealant application - Correct
Answers -Increases the surface area for the sealant material by removing the outer 5-10
micrometers of enamel, creating an uneven roughened surface and tags.
Disadvantages of visible light or photo polymerized sealants - Correct Answers -Extra
costs and disinfection time, protective shields
Indications of sealant placement in patients with risk for dental caries - Correct Answers
-Xerostomia, orthodontics, incipient caries (limited to enamel) no radiographic evidence
of caries on adjacent proximal surface
Indications of sealant placement in teeth - Correct Answers -Newly erupted, occlusal
contour and caries history, primarily on permanent molars and premolars
Contraindications for sealants - Correct Answers -Radiographic evidence of proximal
dental caries, pit and fissures are well coalesced (fused) and self-cleansing; low caries
risk
What is most likely the cause of a sealant failure within the first couple months after
application? - Correct Answers -Operator error. Failure to obtain sealant retention for
longer than 3-6 months is always related to an error on the part of the clinician.
How do sealants work? - Correct Answers -Polymer (resin) flows into the pits or fissures
and bods to the enamel surface mainly by mechanical retention when the acid etch
process precedes the application of the sealant material
Purpose of sealants - Correct Answers -Create physical barrier to "seal off" the pit or
fissure. Prevent oral bacteria and their nutrients from collecting within the pit or fissure
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Methods of Polymerization - Correct Answers -Self-cured or autopolymerized and
visible light-cured or photopolymerized
Major reason for sealant failure - Correct Answers -Salivary contamination. Retention of
sealant depends on maintaining a dry field during etching and placement.
Indications for dental sealants - Correct Answers -Deep pits and fissures so that
bacteria, particularly strep mutans, cannot be harbored for growth. Also incipient lesions
as a way of arresting progression of carious lesion
Purpose of using an etchant or tooth conditioner during the sealant application - Correct
Answers -Increases the surface area for the sealant material by removing the outer 5-10
micrometers of enamel, creating an uneven roughened surface and tags.
Disadvantages of visible light or photo polymerized sealants - Correct Answers -Extra
costs and disinfection time, protective shields
Indications of sealant placement in patients with risk for dental caries - Correct Answers
-Xerostomia, orthodontics, incipient caries (limited to enamel) no radiographic evidence
of caries on adjacent proximal surface
Indications of sealant placement in teeth - Correct Answers -Newly erupted, occlusal
contour and caries history, primarily on permanent molars and premolars
Contraindications for sealants - Correct Answers -Radiographic evidence of proximal
dental caries, pit and fissures are well coalesced (fused) and self-cleansing; low caries
risk
What is most likely the cause of a sealant failure within the first couple months after
application? - Correct Answers -Operator error. Failure to obtain sealant retention for
longer than 3-6 months is always related to an error on the part of the clinician.
How do sealants work? - Correct Answers -Polymer (resin) flows into the pits or fissures
and bods to the enamel surface mainly by mechanical retention when the acid etch
process precedes the application of the sealant material
Purpose of sealants - Correct Answers -Create physical barrier to "seal off" the pit or
fissure. Prevent oral bacteria and their nutrients from collecting within the pit or fissure
