Pit and Fissure Sealants: An Unused Caries Prevention Tool

Abstract

ABSTRACT Pit and fissure sealants along with fluoridation and good oral hygiene is an important tool for the prevention of dental caries in children and adolescents. RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations are based on the evidence gathered: 1. Sealants should be placed on all permanent teeth without cavitation (i.e., teeth that are free of caries, teeth that have deep pit and fissure morphology, teeth with “sticky” fissures or teeth with stained grooves) as soon after eruption as isolation can be achieved. 2. Sealants should not be placed on partially erupted teeth or teeth with cavitation or caries of the dentin. 3. Sealants should be placed on the primary molars of children who are susceptible to caries (i.e., those with a history of caries). 4. Sealants should be placed on first and second molars within 4 years after eruption. 5. Resin-based sealants should be preferred, until such time as glass ionomer cements with better retention capacity are developed. 6. Sealants should be placed as part of an overall prevention strategy based on assessment of caries risk. Sealing is a recommended procedure to prevent caries of the occlusal surfaces of permanent molars. Though the effectiveness of sealants is obvious at high caries risk groups there is still some degree of latitudein operators preference for sealant placementand material selection.