Sealants Study Guide Complete Solutions
When can a sealant be applied?* - ANSWER-After the patient has had an
examination and been diagnosed by the dentist.
Sealants must form a strong _________ _________ with the enamel surface in order
for the resin to be effectively retained. - ANSWER-Mechanical bond
What is applied immediately prior to applying the sealant? - ANSWER-Phosphoric
Acid Etchant
How long should the phosphoric acid etchant be left on the tooth? - ANSWER-1
minute
How does the etchant increase the enamel surface area?* - ANSWER-Produces
selective dissolution of the enamel, opening pores into which the resin can flow.
How does the tooth surface appear after being etched?* - ANSWER-Dull/frosted
When a sealant is placed over an acid conditioned tooth what is created?* -
ANSWER-Resin tags 15-25 microns in length
What do the resin tags increase which allows them to be responsible for the clinical
retention and success of the sealant?* - ANSWER-mechanical retention
What is the most critical period in the sealant application? - ANSWER-Acid etch
process
What happens if saliva is allowed to contact the etched tooth prior to resin
placement?* - ANSWER-Proteins from the saliva will adhere to the etched enamel.
When contact with saliva occurs, what happens immediately and interferes with
penetration of the sealant as well as significantly reducing bond strength between
sealant and enamel?* - ANSWER-Remineralization of enamel
What should be done if a conditioned tooth becomes contaminated with saliva prior
to resin placement?* - ANSWER-Re etch for 20-30 seconds
What should the acid etchant not come in contact with?* - ANSWER-Soft tissues,
skin, or eyes
How long after enamel is etched does it return to normal enamel after being exposed
to saliva?* - ANSWER-24 hours.
Why should the tooth be thoroughly washed and dried for 20-30 seconds after the
etching process? - ANSWER-To remove the presence of microscopic calcium
phosphate particles from the interaction of the phosphoric acid conditioner and the
enamel surface.
, What is the standard concentration of acid and standard conditioning time? -
ANSWER-None - always follow manufacturers instructions.
What are the two methods of polymerization?* - ANSWER-1) Chemically cured ( self
cure or autopolymerization and 2) Light cured (
photocure/photopolymerize/photoinitiation)
What is the base of the most commonly used liquid resin monomer sealant material?
* - ANSWER-3 parts bisphenol a-glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA) and 1 part methyl
methacrylate (MMA).
Which polymerization method is packaged as 2 component systems and need to be
mixed manually? - ANSWER-Chemical ( self cure )
How long does is take chemically polymerized sealants to "set"? - ANSWER-60
seconds
How long does it take light cured sealants to polymerize when under a light source? -
ANSWER-20 seconds
What are the 2 advantages of self cure sealant systems?* - ANSWER-Simple to use
- less expensive ( doesn't require additional equipment )
What are the 2 advantages of light cure sealant systems?* - ANSWER-Operator has
control over the initiation of polymerization - supplied as single liquid ( no mixing )
What are the 2 disadvantages of self cure sealant systems?* - ANSWER-Once
mixing has started, the operator must continue mixing and immediately place the
sealant or make a new mix - The catalyst and base must be mixed prior to
placement ( increases chance of air bubbles )
What are the 3 disadvantages of light cure sealant systems?* - ANSWER-Requires
extra piece of equipment - high cost for curing light - shorter shelf life ( premixed )
What sealant color options are available?* - ANSWER-Clear - white - tinted
Which sealant color option is preferred by patients and which is preferred by
clinicians?* - ANSWER-Patients = clear / Clinicians = white/tinted
Which sealant color options are normally placed where in the mouth?* - ANSWER-
Clear = premolars / white or tinted = molars
Do you need parent or guardian consent to place sealants on a minor or mentally
impaired patient?* - ANSWER-Yes
What 2 things should be discussed with the patient or parent when sealants are
placed?* - ANSWER-Life expectancy - the tooth may feel "high" after placement
Sealant Failure : ___________ may be caused by either saliva or calcium phosphate
products. - ANSWER-Contamination
When can a sealant be applied?* - ANSWER-After the patient has had an
examination and been diagnosed by the dentist.
Sealants must form a strong _________ _________ with the enamel surface in order
for the resin to be effectively retained. - ANSWER-Mechanical bond
What is applied immediately prior to applying the sealant? - ANSWER-Phosphoric
Acid Etchant
How long should the phosphoric acid etchant be left on the tooth? - ANSWER-1
minute
How does the etchant increase the enamel surface area?* - ANSWER-Produces
selective dissolution of the enamel, opening pores into which the resin can flow.
How does the tooth surface appear after being etched?* - ANSWER-Dull/frosted
When a sealant is placed over an acid conditioned tooth what is created?* -
ANSWER-Resin tags 15-25 microns in length
What do the resin tags increase which allows them to be responsible for the clinical
retention and success of the sealant?* - ANSWER-mechanical retention
What is the most critical period in the sealant application? - ANSWER-Acid etch
process
What happens if saliva is allowed to contact the etched tooth prior to resin
placement?* - ANSWER-Proteins from the saliva will adhere to the etched enamel.
When contact with saliva occurs, what happens immediately and interferes with
penetration of the sealant as well as significantly reducing bond strength between
sealant and enamel?* - ANSWER-Remineralization of enamel
What should be done if a conditioned tooth becomes contaminated with saliva prior
to resin placement?* - ANSWER-Re etch for 20-30 seconds
What should the acid etchant not come in contact with?* - ANSWER-Soft tissues,
skin, or eyes
How long after enamel is etched does it return to normal enamel after being exposed
to saliva?* - ANSWER-24 hours.
Why should the tooth be thoroughly washed and dried for 20-30 seconds after the
etching process? - ANSWER-To remove the presence of microscopic calcium
phosphate particles from the interaction of the phosphoric acid conditioner and the
enamel surface.
, What is the standard concentration of acid and standard conditioning time? -
ANSWER-None - always follow manufacturers instructions.
What are the two methods of polymerization?* - ANSWER-1) Chemically cured ( self
cure or autopolymerization and 2) Light cured (
photocure/photopolymerize/photoinitiation)
What is the base of the most commonly used liquid resin monomer sealant material?
* - ANSWER-3 parts bisphenol a-glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA) and 1 part methyl
methacrylate (MMA).
Which polymerization method is packaged as 2 component systems and need to be
mixed manually? - ANSWER-Chemical ( self cure )
How long does is take chemically polymerized sealants to "set"? - ANSWER-60
seconds
How long does it take light cured sealants to polymerize when under a light source? -
ANSWER-20 seconds
What are the 2 advantages of self cure sealant systems?* - ANSWER-Simple to use
- less expensive ( doesn't require additional equipment )
What are the 2 advantages of light cure sealant systems?* - ANSWER-Operator has
control over the initiation of polymerization - supplied as single liquid ( no mixing )
What are the 2 disadvantages of self cure sealant systems?* - ANSWER-Once
mixing has started, the operator must continue mixing and immediately place the
sealant or make a new mix - The catalyst and base must be mixed prior to
placement ( increases chance of air bubbles )
What are the 3 disadvantages of light cure sealant systems?* - ANSWER-Requires
extra piece of equipment - high cost for curing light - shorter shelf life ( premixed )
What sealant color options are available?* - ANSWER-Clear - white - tinted
Which sealant color option is preferred by patients and which is preferred by
clinicians?* - ANSWER-Patients = clear / Clinicians = white/tinted
Which sealant color options are normally placed where in the mouth?* - ANSWER-
Clear = premolars / white or tinted = molars
Do you need parent or guardian consent to place sealants on a minor or mentally
impaired patient?* - ANSWER-Yes
What 2 things should be discussed with the patient or parent when sealants are
placed?* - ANSWER-Life expectancy - the tooth may feel "high" after placement
Sealant Failure : ___________ may be caused by either saliva or calcium phosphate
products. - ANSWER-Contamination
