Dental Sealants

A highly effective procedure for the control of dental caries is the application of dental sealants to pits and fissures. Because fluorides are less effective in preventing decay in pit and fissure surfaces ( the most highly susceptible sites for caries) than on smooth surfaces, sealants complement fluorides in providing maximal caries protection. In adults, most pits and fissures have over time demonstrated their caries propensity, either having been treated or remaining caries free, thus, seemingly obviating the need for sealants. However, there is no such thing as "caries immunity" and pits and fissures that were sound going into adulthood, may because of changes in lifestyle or health be subject to decay. Such teeth are suitable candidates for sealants, which when placed over incipient lesions, may arrest the carious process. Sealants also offer a promising strategy for the treatment of root caries. Recently, dentin-bonding agents to seal exposed root surfaces have been developed, offering an encouraging potential for more effective prevention of root caries.