to prevent dental caries in pits and fissures of deciduous and permanent teeth
The greatest benefit from fluorides has been seen on ______ _______ surfaces
smooth enamel
most caries (about 88%) in children are found where?
in pits and fissures
treatment of carious teeth with ENAMEL sealants resulted in an ________% reversal from a caries-active to a caries in-active state
89
true or false. Because some individuals will remain caries-free throughout their life-time, it is not indicated to seal all posterior teeth. The dentisth should use their linical judgment based on specific criteria to determine which teeth should be sealed
true
approximately ___% of caries in primary teeth occur in the pits and fissures of the molars
44
Why do permanent molars decay 3-4 times more frequently than premolars?
because of th emore complex occlusal morphology
Which permanent teeth are the most susceptible to pit and fissure caries?
mandibular first and second molars
Sealants are most commonly lost from what teeth? And why?
permanent 2nd molars
moisture contamination
true or false. sealants are chemically similar to composite restorations
true
The resin component of sealants is based on a dimethacrylate monomer that is either one of what 2 substances?
A-glycidyl methacrylate (bis-GMA)
urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA)
What are 2 ways that polymerization of the resin in sealants occurs?
soley by chemical reaction (self-cure) by conventional peroxide-amine system
light activation (light-cure) blue light polymerizes them
What type of cure leaves oxygen inhibited layer on the surface that does notpolymerize, and oxygen in the airinhibits set of resin on surface sealant?
light cure (one component system with activation light)
Why doesn't sealant material have as many filler particles as some others?
the less filler particles, the less viscous, they would be too viscous to flow into narrow fissures
In which type of set does it require the mixing of two agents?
self-cure
the self-cured sealant polymerizes to final set within about _________ from the start of mixing the two components.
2 minutes
What technique is used to make the self-cure sealant system faster than the light cured system on a comparable number of teeth?
experienced operator can apply the material to one or two quadrants of posterior teeth with one mix of material
the light-cured material requires a ___________ application of light on each tooth to polymerize the sealant if a standard halogen light is used.
20 seconds
What is an advantage of using the light cured material?
it doesn't require mixing, resulting in fewer bubbles and allows operator to place and cure the material when the operator is ready
which color of sealant do pts usually prefer? But which is better for the clinician?
clear or tooth-colored
a color in contrast to tooth color is easier for clinician to identify
Which type of sealants will wear faster than others?
sealants that contain no organic filler particles
Why do soe clinicians use flowable composites as sealants?
because they are more heavily filled, and therefore are more resistant to wear while at the same time having adequate flow to enter the fissures
What are the 8 steps in sealant placement?
Pumice: cleans and removes debris
rinse
isolation, VERY important
etch enamel: with 37% phosphoric acid, this provides retention of the sealant
rinse
dry (it should now have a frosty appearance) *may use a drying agent after this if you'd like*
apply material
polymerize
very thin film of uncured resin on the cured sealant surface. surface will appear shiny and will be wet to the touch, because the set of the resin at its surface is inhibited by contact with oxygen in the air; it causes no harm but should be wiped off because it may taste bad
oxygen- or air-inhibited layer
any moisture on the tooth could result in ________ of the sealant
FAILURE
moisture to the sealant could come from what 3 areas?
saliva
leaky air-water syringe
moisture from pts breath
failure in the sealant may be seen as what 3 things? Which is the worst?
immediate loss of slealant
complete or partial loss of sealant at subsequent visit
retained sealants that are leaking
leaking sealants are the worst, caries can form under the sealant
What precautions can be taken to make sure that the etch material does not touch adjacent teeth or soft tissue? And so etch doesn't contact pt or clinicia?
use of matrix strips, or metal matrix bands
careful application of etch
wear protective eye wear always
What material is used to identify the high spots in a sealant? What can be used to adjust high spots on a sealant? What types of sealants are more wear resistant and may take longer to adjust and cause a sore jaw or teeth?
articulating paper
bur or diamond
sealants with filler particles
What are 7 chart entries that should be included about the sealant procedure?
date
pt, or parent consent
type of isolation
teeth and surfaces sealed
materials used
statement that pt or parent was informed of need for inspection and mtnc of sealant
adverse events
What are 5 indications for the application of sealants?
permanent teeth with deep pits and fissures
primary molars with deep pits and fissures
evidence of caries susceptibility in primary dentition
steep cuspal inclines
deep, sticky fissures
What are 2 contraindications for the application of sealants?
shallow cusps
highly coalesed pits and fissures
When might teeth become sensitive?
when the gingiva has receded and dentinal tubules are exposed to the oral cavity
When are the dentinal tubules of teeth exposed?
when the protective coating of the root by cementum gets worn away
What are 3 other causes of tooth sensitivity that desensitizing agents would not be effective for treatment?
dental caries
cracked tooth
leaking restoration
What are 3 common offenders of the odontoblasts that line the pulp and have extensions containing nerve endings that will cause sensitivity?
temperature: usually cold
sugars
acidic foods
What are 4 common causes for the exposed dentin?
roots abraded by improper toothbrushing
loss of enamel and dentin from dietary acids
loss of tooth structure in the cervical part of the tooth by abfraction
scaling and root planing procedures
What are 6 common causes of root sensitivity?
root caries- restoration needed
toothbrush abrasion- use desensitizing agent
erosion by acids- use desensitizing agent
abfraction associated with bruxism- use desensitizing agent
Scaling and root planing- use desensitizing agent
leaking restoration on the root- restoration needed
cracked tooth- restoration needed
what are the two main methods or modalities for treatment of tooth sensitivity?
occluding (plugging) open tubules
desensitizing nerve endings
What type of desensitizing agent passes through the dentinal tubules to the pulp and acts directly on the nerve, depolarized the nerve ending so it cannot fire and cause pain?
potassium nitrate
plugging the open ends of the dentin tubules will reduce fluid movement and stop pressure on the nerve endings, and this may be done by a _______ or _______ blocking process
chemical
mechanical
true or false. One of the side effects of teeth bleaching is tooth and gum sensitivity, so some bleaching products contain potassium nitrate or fluoride to help reduce sensitivity
true
What is the hydrodynamic theory of dentinal sensitivity?
When cementum is worn away, dentinal tubules are exposed
odontoblasts line the pulp and have extensions in the dentinal tubules that contain nerve endings
when stimulus causes the fluid within the tubules to move, the sensitive nerve endings are deformed, causeing them to fire and produce a quick localized sharp pain
Which type of desensitizing blocking process creates a bond with the dentin/tubules?
mechanical
Which type of desensitizing blocking process passes through the tubule and works directly on the nerve?
chemical
What are 3 chemicals used as chemical desensitizing agents?
potassium nitrate- (most common type. ex. sensodyne)
sodium citrate
strontium chloride
true or false. No desensitizing agent provides permanent relief
true
List 6 different desensitizing agents that are available (table 7-4)
toothpaste (sensodyne)
fluoride gel/varnish
inorganic salt solutions
resin primers/ bonding agents
mineralizing agents
glass ionomer surface sealants
What are 4 indications that may resulat in tooth sensitivity for use of desensitizing agents?
restorations
after scaling and root planing/prophy
gingival recession
bleaching
What are 5 causes of tooth sensitivity that desensitizing agents might help with?
poor tooth brushing habits
hot and cold extremes
exposed dentinal tubules
acidic diet
bruxism
What are 2 more permanent solutions for tooth sensitivity?
