Preventative Dentistry: Pit and Fissure Sealants Exam Questions And Answers

dental sealants are highly effective in preventing dental caries in pit and fissure areas of the teeth (true or false) - ANS true what are pits and fissures? - ANS are fossas and grooves that failed to fuse during development even a single toothbrush bristle may be too large to enter and clean pits and fissures (true or false) - ANS true dental sealants act as a ___________ barrier to bacteria - ANS dental sealants act as a PHYSICAL barrier to bacteria sealants are non-invasive (true or false) - ANS true what is success of a dental sealant dependant on? - ANS on the ADHERENCE and RETENTION of the resin material define preventative sealants - ANS are those placed in CARIES-FREE TEETH in effort to prevent dental caries *primary prevention strategy* define therapeutic sealants - ANS are those placed in teeth with INCIPIENT LESIONS in an effort to arrest the decay process *secondary prevention strategy* what are some indications for a sealant placement? - ANS -deep plaque-retentive pits and fissures on the occlusal surfaces of the teeth -incipient caries and no radiographic evidence of caries on the proximal surface -xerostomia -orthodontic appliances/bands -need for head/neck radiation therapy -infrequent professional preventative care -high caries experience -newly erupted posterior teeth -frequent snacking what are some contraindications for pit and fissure sealants? - ANS -lack of deep pits and fissures -apparent occlusal decay -interproximal decay -insufficient eruption of a tooth -poor client compliance during dental treatment dental sealants are recommended for clients with low-moderate-high risk individuals aged 3 years or older with deep fissure or developmental defects (true or false) - ANS true what are the 3 tooth surfaces most at risk for dental caries in young children? - ANS 1. occlusal surfaces of permanent 1st and 2nd molars 2. buccal surfaces of lower molars 3. lingual surfaces of upper molars newly erupted teeth need to be sealed as soon after full eruption as possible (true or false) - ANS true incipient lesions can stop progression of caries for up to 5 years with a sealant placement (true or false) - ANS true the ability of a dental sealant to prevent decay is highly dependant on its ability to be RETAINED on the tooth surface (true or false) - ANS true what is the most common reason for a sealant to fail? - ANS moisture (contamination) what are some other factors that influence the retention rate of the sealant? - ANS -clinician inexperience -lack of client cooperation -less effective sealant material used research suggests that ___________ does not interfere with retention rates of sealants - ANS research suggests that FLUORIDE does not interfere with retention rates of sealants what 3 things are sealants classified by? - ANS 1. polymerization 2. content 3. color sealant classification: polymerization - ANS -this refers to the method required to convert the material from LIQUID STATE to a SOLID STATE (hardening of the material) -2 types: self curing (autopolymerized) and visible light cured (photopolymerized) sealant classification: polymerization- autopolymerized - ANS -2 part system -have a MONOMER and a CATALYST -the 2 components are mixed together -the hardening process begins as soon as you start mixing -hardens within 60-90 secs *used in community health or school based programs* sealant classification: polymerization- photopolymerized - ANS -hardened with a CURING LIGHT -because no mixing is involved, the clinician controls the start of polymerization -infection control is considered for the equipment for this -curing light should be sterilized or used with a plastic barrier -hardens within 10-20 secs describe the shrinkage pattern for autopolymerized sealants - ANS they cure/shrink towards the center of the material and provide a GOOD SEALANT TO TOOTH MARGINS describe the shrinkage pattern for photopolymerized sealants - ANS they shrink toward the source of the light, therefore the margins of the sealant may be SLIGHTLY COMPROMISED and prone to marginal leakage sealant classification: content - ANS -most sealants are made of bisphenol A glycidyl methylacrylate (bis-GMA) -can also be made of glass ionomer -3 types: filled, unfilled, fluoride-rele