Fissure sealant is a plastic material applied to the pits and fissures of teeth to prevent dental caries development. It acts as a physical barrier, blocking bacteria from entering the protected areas where plaque can accumulate. Several generations of sealants have been developed over time, improving adhesion and curing methods. Ideal sealants cure quickly, adhere well to enamel, and resist wear. Sealant placement involves isolating the tooth, cleaning, etching with acid, rinsing, applying the sealant, and evaluating. Regular recall visits are needed to check sealant retention and reapply if lost. Sealants are effective at reducing dental caries when used according to protocol in patients with deep fissure anatomy or high

1. Fissure sealant
in preventive dentistry
Done by :
Ghadeer abdulbasit fat’hi

2. Pit and fissure sealant : a plastic professionally
applied material used to occlude the pits and fissure of teeth .the
purpose is to provide physical barrier to the impaction of substrate of
bacteria and prevent caries from developing.
Fissure sealant are materials designs to prevent pits and fissure
caries
which provide sheltered environment in which dental plaque can
develop so these are susceptible to dental caries ,they applied mainly
to the occlsal surface of the tooth to obliterate occlusal fissure then
removing sheltered environment which favor caries progression .

3. Some author studied development of pit and fissure sealant:
Wilson(1895) reported the placement of cement in pit and fissure to
prevent caries .
Bodecker (1929) suggested the boarding of occlusal area to make them
saucer shaped and self cleansing .
Hyatt (1933-1936) advocated early filling of deep pits and fissures
before initiation of dental caries he called this procedure {prophylactic
odontomy }.
Buonocre (1955) developed acid etching technique which enable
dental resin to adhere to the tooth surface .

4. 1- a velocity allowing penetration into deep pit and fissure even in
maxillary teeth.
2-adequate working time .
3-rapid cure .
4-good an prolong adhesion to enamel
5-low sorption and solubility
6- resistance to wear .
7- compatible with oral tissue .
8-cariostatic action.
Criteria for the ideal sealant

5. Types of sealant
Based on color :
1-clear : esthetic but
difficult to detect in follow
up .
2-tined opaque sealant :
easy to detect .
Based on fillers :
1-unfilled .
2-filled .
3-fluoride releasing.
Based on generation :
1-generation 1 (photo cured
via UV light ).
2- generation 2 (auto or
chemical cured ).
3-generation 3 (photo cured
via visible light ).
4- fluoride containing sealant .

6. 1- in the patient with bad oral hygiene .
2-in deep occlusal fissure, fossae or lingual pit .
3-is placed in an intact occlusal surface of the tooth where the
contralateral tooth surface is carious or restored because the tooth on
the oppsite site of the mouth is usually equally produce in caries .

7. 4- sealant should be placed in the teeth of adult if there is
evidence of existing highly caries susbtibility as patient with
excessive intake of sugar or drug or radiation that induced
xerostomia .
5- most important time for sealing the first perminant teeth
(1 molar) upper and lower right and left at age 6-7years and
age 11-13 years for second molars and premolars .

8. 1- on occlusal carious lesion exists or caries present on the other surface of the same tooth .
2- large occlusal restoration is already present .
3- patient behavior doesn’t permit use of adequate dry field techniques throughout the
procedure .
4- shallow and broad fissure .
Occlusal
restoration is
present
Shallow pits
and fissure
Large carious
lesion present
Uncooperative
child

9. Fissure sealant
materials

10. Clear and colored sealant
Clear and colored sealant are present they have varied from
translucent to white yellow and pink.
The colored products is more precise placement of sealant with visual
assurance that periphery half way up to inclined planes .
Both patient and operator in placing the sealant can be more
accurately monitor retention on the other hand clear sealant may be
considered more esthetically acceptable .

11. Advantagesof photocuredsealant:
1- the operator can initiate the polymerization at any suitable time .
2-polymerization time is shorter than that with self curing sealant .
3-visible light curing of resin of GIC for that matte give the clinician
control over the setting material .
4-the photo cured process does require the light source conversely
self cured resin don’t require expensive light source .

12. Q/ what are the differences between
sealant and amalgam?
AmalgamSealant
1- amalgam used to treat occlusal
caries .
1- sealant used to prevent
occlusal caries .
2- need 13-15 min2- need 6-9 min
3- the longevity up to 10 years3- the longevity 3-7 years
4- replace due to marginal decay
require more cutting procedure .
4- no damage in resealing
5- painful procedure and require
anesthesia .
5- painless procedure .

13. 1- isolation .
2- cleaning the teeth .
3- etching .
4-washing .
5- mixing the resin .
6- application of sealant .
7- evaluation .
8- checking occlusion .
9- re call visits ( re evaluation ) .

14. 1-isolation:
Done by using rubber dam we can isolate also by using cotton roll .

15. 2- cleaningof theteeth:
Cleaning the teeth surface with bristle brush and pumice and water
slurry the slurry must be oil free mixture because oil paste may
interfere with sealant retention . After polishing of the teeth the tooth
should be wash again and dried with air .

16. 3- etching
Phosphoric acid etched is applied either colorless liquid or colored gel
. The acid is applied on the occlusal surface and or buccal and lingual
surface where the grooves require sealing . Time of etching 20-30
second . Anothor 15 second of etching is indicated for flourosed teeth
to compensate for the greater acid resistance of enamel .if any etched
tooth surface are not covered with sealant will return to normal
appearance of tooth with 1 hour to few weeks due to remineralization
from saliva .

17. The etchant is applied with a fine tipped brush or acid gel is applied with
supplied syringe .
Etching with fine brush
Etching with supplied
syringe

18. 4- washing:
The acid is washed away with water spray .

19. 5- mixingtheresin:
Light cured material doesn’t require mixing.
Chemical cured resin has two component which are gently mixed
together to avoid incorporating bubbles .

20. 6- applicationof sealant:
By using small disposable brush or applicator . The sealant material
should be first applied in the fissures where there is maximum depth .
The light should be placed directly over the sealant and doesn’t touch
it .

21. 7- evaluation:
The sealant should be examined before discontinuing of dry filed if
any voids are present additional sealant can be added without the
need of additional etching .

22. 8- checkingof theocclusion:
Checking of the occlusion before the patient is dismissed.

23. 9- re call visits(re-evaluation):
An initial 3 month recall following placement should be routine for
determining if sealant has been losses probably being abnormal
masticatory stress .

27. Thank you
Done by :
Ghadeer abdulbasit fat’hi