PITS & FISSURE

SEALANTS

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 DEFINATION
 Pits & fissure sealant is normally resin
material that is introduced in pit & fissure of
carious susceptible teeth forming a
micromechanical retained physically
protective layer that acts to prevent the
demineralization of enamel by blocking the
interaction of cariogenic bacteria & their
nutrient substrate , thus eliminating the
harmful acidic by products.

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 IDEAL PROPERTIES
 Should flow over the surface of clean enamel
 Inert in the mouth.
 Low viscosity on mixing so that surface. spreading is rapid.
 Should penetrate into the etched enamel surface
 Should exhibit adequate mechanical properties on setting.
 Physical properties of set material should match those of enamel.
 Should be biocompatible.
 Should release flouride.

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 COMPOSITION
 Bowen’s resin
 Diluents
 Opaquer
 Fluoride releasing agent
 Polymerization activation chemical

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 CLASSIFICATION
1 : DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF CURING AGENT
First generation sealants ( ultraviolet light )
Second generation sealants (auto polymerization )
Third generation sealants (visible light cured )
Fourth generation sealants (fluoride containing
sealants)

Now a days LASERS are used due to ;

-reduction in setting time.
-control specific radiation energy wavelengths
-control area of exposure
-decrease in the percentage of unpolymerization

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2 : ACCORDING TO COLOUR
 Transparent – clear , pink , amber
 Opaque - tooth colored , white
 Tinted

3 : ACCORDING TO FLORIDE CONTENT

 Fluoridated
 Non flouridated

4 : ACCORDING TO FILLER CONTENT

 Unfilled
 Filled
 Semifilled

5 : ACCORDING TO METHOD OF POLYMERIZATION

 Autopolymerized
 Light cured
 Laser cured

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 PROCEDURE
 CLEANING (By pumice or rubber cup )
 ISOLATION
 ETCHING ( 20 to 30 sec. )
 WASHING
 DRYING
 APPLICATION
 CHECK OCCLUSAL HIGH POINTS
 RECALL

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 INDICATIONS &
CONTRAINDICATIONS
 SURFACE CLINICAL DO SEAL DO NOT SEAL
DIAGNOSIS CONSIDERATION

Carious occlusal anatomy If pit & Carious pit & fissures

fissures are
separate by
transverse
ridge,sound pit.

Questionable * Status of proximal Sound Carious

surface
* General carious Many occlusal few Many proximal lesion
activity proximal lesion

Sound * Occlusal morphology
* Tooth age
* Status of proximal lesion
* General caries activity
Deep narrow pit & fissures Broad well coaleased
Recent errupted teeth Teeth caries free 4 yr.
Sound Carious
Many occlusal few Many proximal lesion
proximal lesion

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 ADVANTAGES &
DISADVANTAGES
 ADVANTAGES :
-It is basically a non invasive technique.
-Fluoride release from fluoridated sealants can protect
adjoining areas.
-Can be used for prevention of caries

 DISADVANTAGES :
-Lake of universal usage.
-Inadvertent placement over carious sites.
-Technique sensitive.
-caries susceptibility of etched enamel.
-Economic unfeasible.

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