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Pit and fissure sealant

Also called: sealant, sealer

A flowable resin coating that seals the grooves of back teeth.

Sealants are thin, flowable resins painted into the grooves of molars and premolars and hardened with the curing light. They keep food and germs out of grooves that are hard to clean. They work better than fluoride varnish alone for preventing decay in those grooves.

How to spot it

  • A syringe of white or clear flowable resin with a small tip.

What it is used for

  • Isolate and keep the tooth dry, etch, rinse, dry, place sealant, cure, and check the bite as the clinician directs.

Safety and care

  • Use blue-light eye protection when curing.

Related

Sources: ADA Oral Health Topics. Dental Sealants (with ADA/AAPD 2016 guideline), Pit and Fissure Sealants