4. Introduction
Dental caries causes demineralization and destruction of
the tooth,
• Pits & fissures of the teeth are susceptible areas for
initiation of dental caries.
• Several preventive & prophylactic methods are
advocated e:g
oral hygiene practices and interventions,
dietary modifications
pit & fissure sealants etc 4
5. Definition
Pit:
A small pinpoint depression located at
the junction of developmental grooves or at
terminals of those grooves.
Fissure:
Deep clefts between the adjoining cusps
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6. Cont.
According to American dental association
Sealants are systems that can be applied to the
occlusal surfaces of teeth to penetrate anatomic
surface pits and fissures and form a physical
barrier on the tooth surface
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7. Morphology of fissure
According to Nango classification (1960)
Fissure may be
V type
U type
I type
IK type
inverted Y shaped
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9. • Increased hardness & abrasion resistance after curing.
• Sufficient strength, surface hardness, dimensional stability.
• Good flow.
• Short setting time & adequate working time.
• Good bond strength with enamel.
• Chemically inert, anti-cariogenic.
• Low volatility
Requirements of materials
used assealants
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11. Types
1. Filled or unfilled
2. Self curing or light curing
3. Colorless or tinted
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12. indications
• Recently erupted molar with deep pits and
fissures e:g
age 3-4 years for primary molars ,
age 6-7 years for 1st permanent molar
age 13-14 for 2nd permanent molar
• Higher caries susceptibility
• Many occlusal point lesions
• No proximal lesion 12
13. contraindication
• Wide self cleansable pits and fissures
• Existing carious lesion
• A tooth remaining caries free for 3 or 4 years
after eruption
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14. Method
• Cleaning of pits and fissures
• Isolation
• Application of etchant
• Washing and drying
• Application of sealant
• Curing
• Evaluation
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22. conclusion
Along with proper diet, fluoride, and biofilm
control,
pit and fissure sealant should be considered
as part of an overall preventive program
rather than an isolated procedure.
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