Pit & Fissure Sealants: The Added Link in Preventative Dentistry Exam Questions And Answers

According to the Cochrane Database of Systematic Review, what is the one-year reduction in caries following properly placed dental sealants? A. 51% B. 86% C. 75% D. 39% - ANS A. 51% How does the cost of placing a dental sealant compare to the cost of placing an occlusal amalgam restoration? A. A sealant costs twice as much as a restoration. B. A sealant costs about the same as a restoration. C. A restoration costs about 50% less than a sealant. D. A restoration costs twice as much as a sealant. - ANS D. A restoration costs twice as much as a sealant. The need for placement of dental sealants has become more of a necessity because: A. Occlusal surfaces are protected by fluorides. B. The American diet contains less fermentable carbohydrates than in the past. C. Disease trends indicate the majority of caries are occlusal. D. The placement of two surface amalgams that cover the occlusal surfaces. - ANS C. Disease trends indicate the majority of caries are occlusal. Which of following methods of protecting the occlusal surfaces of teeth removes the least amount of enamel? A. Preventive resin restorations B. Prophylactic odontonomy C. Dental sealants D. Small amalgam restorations - ANS C. Dental sealants Which of the following is the most critical step in the placement of resin based pit and fissure sealants? A. Material selection B. Light curing C. Isolation D. Cleaning the tooth surface - ANS C. Isolation What is the appropriate curing time for light cured sealant materials? A. 10 seconds B. 30 seconds C. 80 seconds D. 120 seconds - ANS B. 30 seconds When saliva touches the tooth surface, what takes place immediately? A. Demineralization B. Remineralization C. Activation D. Nothing - ANS B. Remineralization When placing the sealant material it is important to: A. Use the maximum amount of material to insure full occlusal coverage. B. Use all of the material in the dispenser. C. Use the minimum amount of the material to cover all the pits and fissures. D. Use air to move the material around. - ANS C. Use the minimum amount of the material to cover all the pits and fissures. After placing the sealant, it is necessary to evaluate the procedure by doing which of the following? A. Exploring for voids or bubbles. B. Checking how securely the sealant is attached to the tooth surface. C. Checking the occlusion for premature contacts. D. All of the above. - ANS A. Exploring for voids or bubbles. B. Checking how securely the sealant is attached to the tooth surface. C. Checking the occlusion for premature contacts. ***All of the above.*** Which of the following is the most appropriate method for removing excess material from a polymerized sealant? A. Scraping with a sharp instrument. B. Using a finishing bur with a hand piece. C. Using prophy paste and a brush. D. All of the above. - ANS B. Using a finishing bur with a hand piece. How do acid etching and prophylactic polishing compare with regard to loss of tooth structure? A. Etching removes approximately 10 microns and polishing removes approximately 4 microns. B. Etching removes approximately 4 microns and polishing removes approximately 10 microns. C. Both procedures remove the same amount of enamel. D. Neither procedure removes tooth structure. - ANS A. Etching removes approximately 10 microns and polishing removes approximately 4 microns.