Pit and Fissure Sealants

Inside Dental Hygiene (IDH): What properties do you look for in pit and fissure sealants?

Fay Goldstep, DDS: I believe fissure sealants can be therapeutic rather than only blocking caries. They can help to remineralize the tooth. Eruption of permanent teeth, especially molars, requires a significant amount of time, and remineralization does as well.

IDH: How important are viscosity, opacity, hydrophilicity, and other factors?

Goldstep: Opacity is helpful because it is nice to be able to see that the sealants are still there, but with a glass ionomer, even if I cannot see it, I know it is in there and working therapeutically. If you are using a resin-based fissure sealant, a lower viscosity allows you to get into all the pits and fissures, so using something that flows nicely is important. You want to achieve as much penetration as possible so that there are not areas where water can percolate and create large decay. Of course, hydrophilicity is helpful as well, but again, that is not a concern with glass ionomers. Keeping a resin fissure sealant dry is very important, especially if there is an operculum.

IDH: What types of developments would you like to see in the future?

Goldstep: Anything that can chemically bond and remineralize is something I want in a fissure sealant. Nothing can completely block caries. You will always end up with some infiltration of liquid and bacteria, but if something chemically bonds to the tooth and can also make the tooth stronger by adding fluoride and other minerals, that is a tremendous advantage. I hope the latest developments lead people to start using fissure sealants more. So many people stop using them after opening them up to see a lot of decay because there was no proper bond or bioactivity. Bioactivity and chemical bonding are key.

ACCLEAN^™ Pit & Fissure Sealant System

The ACCLEAN^™ Pit & Fissure Sealant System is a BPA-free light-cured, resin-based sealant with hydrophilic, wet-bond technology that you can trust for a strong bond, even in a moist environment. With its easy-to-apply low viscosity and its white opaque color for better visualization, you can count on the ACCLEAN^™ Pit & Fissure Sealant System.

henryscheindental.com/acclean • 800-372-4346

GC Fuji TRIAGE^™ EP

GC Fuji TRIAGE^™ EP is a clinically proven glass ionomer sealant and surface protectant enhanced with RECALDENT^™ (CPP-ACP).  GC Fuji TRIAGE^™ EP forms a chemical-mechanical bond and barrier to protect the covered and surrounding tooth surfaces. It can be used in a moist field and is self-adhering. No bonding agent is required.

gcamerica.com • 800-323-7063