PIT & FISSURE SEALANTS DR.S.ASWINI 2 ND YEAR POSTGRADUATE STUDENT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY
CONTENTS Introduction Definition Morphology of Pits and fissures History of sealants Types of Pit and fissure sealants Indications Contraindications Steps of sealant application Factors affecting retention Cost effectiveness Preventive resin restorations Public health sealant programs Conclusion References
INTRODUCTION Dental caries - widespread disease of mankind. shortly after eruption of the deciduous teeth and continue to increase at a remarkable rate in their school age. Fluoride’s great success in preventing tooth decay on smooth surfaces has made dental caries largely a disease of rough irregularities.
Deep pits and fissures favor food retention and are difficult to clean by routine brushing. The most efficient way to prevent pit and fissure caries is by effectively sealing the fissures using resins called pit and fissure sealants. INTRODUCTION
DEFINITIONS
MORPHOLOGY OF PITS & FISSURES Nagano(1961) V type – 34% U type – 14% I type – 19% IK type – 26% Inverted Y type – 7%
Shallow, wide V & U shaped fissures – a. self cleansing b. somewhat caries resistant. Deep, narrow I shaped fissure – a. constricted b. resemble bottle neck c. narrow slit like opening K- shaped and inverted Y shaped fisssures – a. large base b. caries susceptible. MORPHOLOGY OF PITS & FISSURES
WHY PIT AND FISSURES ARE CARIES SUSCEPTIBLE? Enamel in pit and fissures are thinner- accelerated demineralization Newly erupted tooth-high organic content, more permeable Morphology provide environment for plaque
PIT AND FISSURE SEALANTS “Pit and Fissure sealants are materials designed to prevent pit and fissure caries when they are applied to the occlusal surfaces of teeth in order to obliterate occlusal fissures and remove the sheltered environment in which caries may thrive.”
International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) for caries ADA guidelines-the use of fissure sealant is recommended with ICDAS II codes 1 and 2.
HISTORY OF SEALANTS 1895- Wilson reported the placement of dental cement in pits and fissures. 1905- Silver nitrate by Miller. 1923 and again in 1936, Hyatt - P rophylactic odontotomy . 1929- Bodecker - E nameloplasty (Fissure eradication). 1942 - Klein and Knutson- ammonical silver nitrate
1951 – Miller J – copper amalgam 1955- Buonocore – Acid Etching (concentrated phosphoric acid solution) (PMMA) Cyanoacrylates were the first materials to be used as sealants 1972 – NUVA SEAL –UV P&F sealant – BOWEN 1976- first colored sealant- CONCISE WHITE SEALANT – chemical cure. HISTORY OF SEALANTS
POLYMERIZATION OF SEALANTS The common sealant is a resin called a monomer (a molecule that can be bound to similar molecules to form a polymer, which contains two or more monomers). When the catalyst acts on the monomer, repeating chemical bonds begin to form, as the hardening process - polymerization proceeds . Finally, the resultant hard product is known as a polymer.
Two methods have been used to catalyze polymerization Light curing with the use of a visible blue light ( camphoroquinone ) Second method is self-curing (initiator usually benzoyl peroxide )
TYPES OF SEALANTS BASED ON CHEMICAL STRUCTURE OF MONOMER Methyl methacrylate(MMA) Triethylene glycol dimethylacrylate (TEGDMA) Bis Phenol dimethacrylate (BPA) TYPES OF SEALANTS
TYPES OF SEALANTS BASED ON CURING METHODS TYPES OF SEALANTS
BASED ON FILLERS A) UNFILLED better flow more retention abrade easily B) FILLED Need for occlusal adjustments More resistant to wear May need occlusal adjustments TYPES OF SEALANTS
BASED ON COLOR Tinted Clear Opaque Pink TYPES OF SEALANTS
TYPES OF SEALANT MATERIALS a) Cyanoacrylates: Discovered in late 1950's Used as surgical adhesive and tooth sealants In presence of traces of moisture they polymerize rapidly to hard and brittle polymers on etched tooth surface.
b)Poly urethanes: Eg : EPOXYLITES Contain 10% sodium mono fluorophosphate with liquid polyurethane and utilize citric acid as etchant. Not regularly used due to poor mechanical properties and oral durability and toxicity.
c) Dimethacrylates highly volatile and lacks penetration. Enamite , a new sealant utilizes MMA-PMMA system initiated by butyl boron. Binds better and is less affected by immersion in water. BISGMA : viscous amber liquid of low volatility diluted with MMA. (3:1)
d) Glass Ionomer Cement Mc Lean and Wilson Hydrophilic Good adhesion Biocompatible Used for fissure orifice exceeding 100μ m
Fluoride-Releasing Sealants Because fluoride uptake increases the enamel's resistance to caries, the use of a fluoridated resin-based sealant may provide an additional anticariogenic effect if the fluoride released is incorporated into the adjacent enamel.
Fluoride-releasing sealants have shown antibacterial properties as well as a greater artificial caries resistance compared with a non-fluoridated sealant. However, recent reviews revealed that, compared with resin-based sealants, fluoride-containing sealants have a poor retention rate after 48 months; they also have not proven to act as a fluoride reservoir with long-term release of fluoride into the oral environment.
Alpha-Dent Light Cure Pit and Fissure Sealant Baritone L3 Concise Light Cure White Sealant Concise White Sealant Helioseal F Helioseal 3M Clinpro Sealant Prisma Shield Compule Tips Tinted Pit and Fissure Sealant e Prisma Shield YLC Filled Pit and Fissure Sealant Seal-Rite Seal- Rite Low Viscosity Pit & Fissure Sealant Products in Market:
ELIGIBILITY FOR SEALANT APPLICATION-PATIENT SELECTION BASED ON AGE 3-4 years of age for the primary molar sealant application. 6-7 years of age for the first permanent molar. 11-13 years of age for the second permanent molars and the premolars. The disease susceptibility of the tooth should be considered when selecting teeth for sealants, not the age of the individual.
BASED ON CLINICAL JUDGEMENT Oral hygiene Familial and individual history of dental caries Fluoride environment and history Dietary habits Tooth type and morphology
OTHER INDICATIONS Stained pits and fissures with minimum appearance of decalcification or opacification. Deep, retentive pits and fissures, which may cause wedging or catching of an explorer. No radiographic or clinical evidence of interproximal caries. Possibility of adequate isolation from salivary contamination.
CONTRAINDICATIONS Patient behavior does not permit use of adequate dry-field techniques throughout the procedure. An open carious lesion exists. Caries exist on other surfaces of the same tooth in which restoring will disrupt an intact sealant. A large occlusal restoration is already present
STEPS IN SEALANT APPLICATION
ASSEMBLE THE ARMAMENTARIUM Mouth mirror Probe Explorer Tweezer Cotton rolls Suction tip Etchant Sealant Articulating paper Handpiece
POLISH/DRY THE TOOTH SURFACE Remove plaque and debris from the enamel and the pits and fissures of the tooth. Clean the surfaces - Dry tooth brush/prophy cup with pumice/air abrasion for 10seconds. Explorer to remove debris. Rinse for 20-30seconds.
ISOLATION OF THE TEETH Rubber dam provides the best isolation. salivary contamination allows rapid precipitation of glycoprotein's onto the etched enamel, greatly decreasing the bond strength. in which retention was tested using a rubber dam versus cotton rolls, the sealant retention was approximately equal
ACID ETCHING 30-50% Ortho phosphoric acid is used in liquid form for 30-60 seconds using hairbrush/cotton pledget held with cotton pliers On all susceptible pits and fissures Extend up the cuspal lines, well beyond (at least 2mm) the anticipated margin of sealant. Another 15 seconds of etching is indicated for fluorosed teeth to compensate for the greater acid resistance of the enamel.
RINSING At the end of the etching period, the aspirator tip is positioned with the bevel interposed between the cotton roll and the tooth. For 10 seconds the water from the syringe is flowed over the occlusal surface.
ISOLATION & DRYING The tooth is dried until it has a chalky, frosted appearance . If it does not, the tooth should be re-etched. This is because the etching will remove approximately 5 to 10 µm of the original surface, although at times interrod penetrations of up to 100 µm may occur In any event, the surface area is greatly increased by the acid etch. comparing the Vac-Ejector versus the cotton roll for maintaining dryness, the two were found to be equally effective.
APPLICATION OF SEALANT The material should first be placed in the fissures where there is the maximum depth. The sealant should not only fill the fissures but should have some bulk over the fissure. The light-emitting device consists of a high-intensity white or blue light , usually between 400 to 500 nm.
The end of the rod is held a few millimeters above the sealant during the first 10 seconds, after which it can be rested on the hardened surface of the partially polymerized sealant. The time required for polymerization is usually around 20 to 30 seconds. Even after cessation of light exposure, a final, slow polymerization can continue over a 24-hour period.
Staring at the lighted operating field is uncomfortable This problem is circumvented by the use of a round, 4-inch dark-yellow disk.
If any voids are evident, additional sealant can be added without the need for any additional etching. The hardened sealant has an oil residue on the surface. This is unreacted monomer that can be either wiped off with a gauze sponge or can be left.
EVALUATION SEALANT for complete coverage for absence of voids or bubbles small voids can be repaired. OCCLUSION -checked visually or articulating paper - round cutting bur INTERPROXIMAL SPACES -dental floss. -the use of scalers.
POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS Avoid chewing gums or sticky foods for 24hours May yellow with age Expected to last for 3-5years Chew right away after sealants placement Made to wear on biting within 1-2days It is not guaranteed that decay is 100% preventable.
RECALL AND RE-EVALUATION Should be done after 6months The sealant is still firmly adherent to the tooth and The sealant material has not been lost. Thus, if there is any of the sealant material lost then it must be added during this time.
CCC SEALANT EVALUATION SYSTEM
RETENTION When the resin sealant flows over the prepared surface, it penetrates the finger-like depressions created by the etching solution. projections of resin into the etched areas are called tags. Teeth that have been sealed and then have lost the sealant have had fewer lesions than control teeth- due to tags.
REQUISITES FOR SEALANT RETENTION For sealant retention the surface of the tooth must (1) have a maximum surface area, (2) have deep, irregular pits and fissures, (3) be clean, (4) be absolutely dry at the time of sealant placement and uncontaminated with saliva residue.
COST EFFECTIVENESS The number of sealants that need to be placed in order to prevent one surface restoration. 5 - 10 sealants must be placed to save one molar surface from becoming carious.
TO MINIMIZE THE COST 1. Selective application on teeth with the greatest caries risk. 2. Delegating treatment to auxiliary personnel where legally permitted. 3. Selecting commercial products that have the highest proved success rates and are approved. 4. Following meticulous application protocol. 5. Applying sealants in conjunction with optimal fluoride therapy
ESTROGENICITY ISSUE Leaching of monomers from unpolymerized material Olea et al. (1996) reported that BPA was identified in the saliva of patients treated with a commercially available dental sealant, and confirmed the estrogenicity of this resinous material by proliferation tests of human breast cancer cells. It also affects reproductivity.
CURRENT STATUS EMBRACE WETBOND Bonds to moist tooth Easy to dispense Avoids cross contanimation
ACP releasing sealant light cured sealant resilient and flexible, creating a stronger long lasting sealant. neutralize the acid and buffer the pH. reinforcement to the tooth’s natural defense system only when it is needed. Aegis Pit and Fissure Sealant (Bosworth)
Hydrophillic Fluorescent BPA Free Pit and Fissure Sealant combines the best properties of nearly all sealants. hydrophillic chemistry, improved adhesive property, fluorescent properties, BPA-free formula
LASERS IN PIT AND FISSURE SEALANT TECHNIQUE Now a days lasers are used for curing due to the following advantages : Reduction in setting time. Control of specific radiation energy wavelengths. Control of area of exposure. Decrease in percentage of unpolymerized resin
PREVENTIVE RESIN RESTORATIONS are a natural extension of the use of occlusal sealants. integrates the preventive approach of the sealant therapy for caries susceptible pit & fissure with therapeutic restoration of incipient caries with composite resin that occur on the same occlusal surface.
According to Simonson(1978)
TYPE A RESTORATION 1)clean the surface 2)isolation 3)remove decalcified pits and fissure 4)place Etchant – 20 to 60 sec 5)wash and dry 6)apply the sealant 7)polymerize with visible light – 20 sec 8)adjust the occlusion, if needed
TYPE B RESTORATION Removal of caries Application of acid – etching gel Bonding agent application Injection of filled composite resin Condensation and smoothing Filled sealant application polymerization
TYPE C RESTORATIONS Repeat all steps listed for type B Type C is larger and deeper add additional polymerization time (30 sec). In most cases local anesthesia will also be required.
PUBLIC HEALTH SEALANT PROGRAM School – based American Association of Community Dental Programs has developed a manual “Seal America : The Prevention Invention” 1990: US Public Health Service published a national health objective for the year 2000, stating that 50% children should have sealants on 1 or more permanent teeth.
CONCLUSION The use of fissure sealants as a key primary prevention method is well documented and it is scientifically proved to have good results. sealing pit and fissures of primary and permanent teeth is safe and effective both in preventing and in arresting caries. Although the application of a pit and fissure sealant is a non-invasive and less time-intensive procedure compared to restorative therapies, it is very technique sensitive .