Prevention of oral diseases is preferable to treatment and is the key method of achieving cost effectiveness for oral health improvement programs. Various preventive strategies for dental caries have been tried and are still being developed. The occlusal pits and fissures of posterior teeth are highly susceptible to caries because of the anatomy of pit and fissure surfaces, which favours stagnation of bacteria and substrates. Fissure sealing has been shown to be an evidence-based caries preventive method for protecting the occlusal surfaces against caries. Non- sealed teeth need to be restored approximately 50% more frequently compared to their sealed counterpart. Sealants are effective caries preventive agents as long as they remain bonded to teeth. It has been proposed that sealants should be placed on both sound teeth and incipient non-cavitated carious lesions on permanent teeth of high caries risk patients in order to prevent the onset of caries and its progression. According to the American Dental Association Guidelines for the use of pit and fissure sealants, ICDAS II codes 0, 1 and 2 are recommended for sealant application.A variety of dental materials have been used as sealants using different application techniques. Their effectiveness depends on the formation of a complete seal and is increased by correct technique and moisture control, appropriate follow-up and resealing as necessary. Resin-based conventional sealants are preferred choice, however use of phosphoric acid demineralizes the enamel layer and have elongated treatment time and is more technique sensitive.
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Loss of sealant's retention
Timeframe: 6 months