Atlas · Plate XV · Caries and Preventive Agents · 08
Pit and fissure sealants
The 2016 ADA/AAPD guideline supports sealing sound and noncavitated pits and fissures on primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents, and sealants beat varnish alone for occlusal caries. The steps: clean, isolate, etch with 35-37% phosphoric acid, rinse and dry to a frosty surface, apply, cure and check. Moisture contamination is the main cause of failure.
High-yield facts · 9
- ADA/AAPD 2016 guideline: place sealants on sound and noncavitated pit-and-fissure surfaces of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents.S30
- Sealants are more effective than fluoride varnish alone for preventing occlusal caries.S30
- Sealing over a noncavitated lesion arrests it; sealants reduce bacteria under them.S36
- Resin-based sealants are retained longer; glass ionomer sealants release fluoride and tolerate moisture better (useful for partly erupted molars).S36
- Filled sealants resist wear better and may need occlusal adjustment; unfilled sealants wear in on their own.S36
- Etch with 35-37% phosphoric acid for about 15-60 seconds per manufacturer; rinse; dry to a chalky, frosted surface.S36
- Curing light: visible blue light, about 400-500 nm (peak about 470 nm); protect eyes with an orange filter.S36
- Moisture contamination is the main reason sealants fail; re-etch about 15 seconds if saliva touches the etched surface.S36
- School-based sealant programs are a key community prevention strategy for high-risk children.S60
Facts are written in our own words; each tag links to its source. Values marked "sources vary" differ between references, so check the one your program uses.