Dental Sealants课件.pptVIP

Learning Objectives Pronounce, define, and spell the Key Terms. Describe the purpose of dental sealants. Describe the clinical indications for dental sealants. Describe the contraindications to dental sealants. Describe the two types of polymerization. (Cont’d) Learning Objectives (Cont’d) Discuss the rationale for filled and unfilled sealant materials. Demonstrate the steps in the application of dental sealants. Describe and demonstrate the safety steps necessary for the patents and the operator during sealant placement. Explain the most important factor in sealant retention. Introduction Dental sealants are highly effective in preventing dental caries in the pit and fissure areas of the teeth. Dental sealants, made of a resin material, are applied to the pits and fissures of teeth to prevent dental caries. A dental sealant is successful only if it firmly adheres to the enamel surface and protects the pits and fissures from the oral environment. (Cont’d) Introduction (Cont’d) Pits and fissures are fossa and grooves that failed to fuse during development. Bacteria accumulate in the narrow pits and fissures. Even a single toothbrush bristle is too large to enter and clean pits and fissures. The sealant acts as a physical barrier. Dental sealants are a noninvasive means of preserving tooth structure and at the same time preventing dental decay. Sealants and Existing Caries During sealant placement, some bacteria will be trapped beneath the sealants. Some teeth with very small initial carious lesions may be inadvertently sealed. Numerous studies have shown that neither of these occurrences will increase the chance of caries development or that caries will grow beneath the sealant. Several studies have shown that the number of bacteria in small, existing carious lesions that had been sealed decreased dramatically with time. Indications for Dental Sealants Pit and fissure sealants are especially useful for selected patients through the caries-active period (a