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The Role of Pit and Fissure Sealants in the Prevention of Dental Caries

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Pit and Fissure Sealants

Abstract

Occlusal surfaces of first permanent molars are the most susceptible sites for the caries in the developing of permanent dentition, but the use of sealants compared to fluoride varnishes on their pit and fissures to limit the onset of tooth decay is still debated today. The application of sealants should be recommended at the first stage of eruption, and they may arrest the progression of non-cavitated occlusal dentinal caries. Resin-based sealants have the disadvantage in that they require an optimal level of moisture control during placement. In children glass ionomer ART sealants, which are more moisture tolerant, can offer a viable alternative. A number of clinical studies indicate that the success of fissure sealants’ protective role depends on different aspects, the most relevant of which are the properties of the sealant material, the maintenance of sealant integrity, and the level of sealant retention. The evidence suggests the superiority of resin-based fissure sealants over fluoride varnishes for prevention of occlusal caries in permanent molars, but the available current data do not allow to draw definitive conclusions. It is important to underline the different cost benefit of sealants and fluoride varnishes compared to the socioeconomic contexts and to the timing of execution. Finally, it has to be rated the environmental conditions in which the sealants are applied and the procedures to be used in order to improve their durability and effectiveness, as well as a preliminary surface treatment with ozone (O3), to reduce or eliminate bacterial contamination.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto Stomatologico Italiano, Reparto Materno Infantile, Milano, Italy

    Luigi Paglia

  2. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

    Gianmaria Ferrazzano

  3. Private Practice, Varese, Italy

    Matteo Beretta

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  1. Luigi Paglia
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  2. Gianmaria Ferrazzano
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  3. Matteo Beretta
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Katrin Bekes

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Paglia, L., Ferrazzano, G., Beretta, M. (2018). The Role of Pit and Fissure Sealants in the Prevention of Dental Caries. In: Bekes, K. (eds) Pit and Fissure Sealants. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71979-5_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71979-5_4

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