A review of the clinical application and performance of pit and fissure sealants

Abstract

Thorough reviews of pit and fissure sealant are available in the literature. It is the intent of this paper to focus on the clinical aspects of pit and fissure sealant application and the most recent publications that support an evidence-based clinical application technique. Pit and fissure sealants were introduced in 1971 based on the pioneering studies of Buonocore. Additional work initiated by Handelman in 1972 looked specifically at what happens to the bacteria trapped underneath a sealant. Concerns that such entrapment could lead to propagation, or continued development, of caries under a well-sealed area, were mitigated by this and many other succeeding studies. It remains clear that the application of pit and fissure sealant to newly-erupted posterior (and occasionally, anterior) teeth is the best method we have in dentistry to prevent pit and fissure caries, and ⁄ or to prevent the continued development of incipient caries into frank caries when the incipient lesion is sealed over with resin.

Assessment of occlusal fissure depth and sealant penetration using optical coherence tomography

“…This could explain the excellent diagnostic power of SS-OCT for the assessment of sealant penetration depth. However, clinicians may prefer opaque or colored shades of sealants, as it is easier to see the sealant during application and to assess retention at later time intervals when compared with a clear sealant 29) . The opaque shades contain an optical opacifier, titanium dioxide, which strongly attenuates near-IR light 30) .…”

Microleakage and penetration depth of different fissure sealant materials after cyclic thermo-mechanic and brushing simulation

“…Fissure sealants have been proven to be effective in the prevention of pit and fissure caries 20,21) . To enhance clinical service and effectiveness, several sealant materials with different contents have been developed, and many improvements have been made to fissure sealant application.…”

“…These findings were consistent with the result of recently published review, which concluded that applying a bonding agent under fissure sealants enhanced the adhesion of the material and increased the retention of the sealant 27) . Penetration depth is an important parameter that may increase the longevity of sealant 26) and affect the retention and adaptation of the sealant 21) . The present study revealed a significantly better penetration depth in the the enameloplasty groups than in the non-invasive groups, so that the null hypothesis was rejected.…”

Bond Strength of a Bisphenol-A-Free Fissure Sealant With and Without Adhesive Layer under Conditions of Saliva Contamination

“…Fissure sealants used as preventive treatment on occlusal surfaces act as an effective mechanical barrier against the accumulation and maturation of biofilm (1), especially if it remains intact and bonded to tooth surface (2,3).…”